Gov Agbu Kefas Leads High-Powered Delegation to India to Enhance Agriculture

The Governor of Taraba state, Dr Agbu Kefas, has led a high-powered delegation to India, where it met with investors to collaborate in agriculture and food production to boost the economy of the state.

The state's delegation was in India at the instance of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) project, for which Taraba State is actively working to qualify.

The visit is part of the process to attract investors. Under the SAPZ model, it is expected that investors will provide 85% of the required financing, while the government provides 15%, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project.

The team visited several agro-processing factories and held strategic sessions with the founders and owners of the facilities to present the Taraba SAPZ project. The team emphasized the opportunity for them to invest in Taraba State and leverage access to the wider agricultural market that the State offers.

The Governor of Taraba state expressed hope that the State will be selected for the establishment of the SAPZ. Once the project is approved, it will create opportunities for processing companies to be sited in the State.

This will, in turn, stimulate increased agricultural production and boost the State’s economy. Currently, Taraba has minimal processing activity despite its significant agricultural output.

According to the Governor, Taraba's top priorities under the SAPZ initiative are rice production, other grains, and root and tuber crops, all of which are already being cultivated extensively in Taraba State.
In preparation for this year's farming season, the Governor said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is currently planning to flag off the fertilizer distribution exercise and expedite the distribution of tractors procured by the government to support land preparation for the 2025 farming season.

During the Indian trip, the delegation visited and engaged with AgTech Innovation Labs, Prasad Seeds Company (Hyderabad), PAN Seeds Company, agro-confectionery companies specializing in value-added agricultural products, a recycling paper manufacturing factory, pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, and China Railway No. 3 Engineering (CREC3) Group Company Ltd.

China Railway No. 3 Engineering (CREC3) Group Company Ltd. is a state-owned construction company under the China Railway Engineering Group. It is recognized as one of the top 500 enterprises in the world.

They held meetings with investors and owners of these companies, as well as others involved in construction and solar energy. Almost all the companies expressed their readiness to visit Taraba State and participate in the upcoming Taraba Investment Summit, scheduled for May 21, 2025.
Dr. Dileepkumar Guntuku, who led the AgTech Innovation Labs engagement, also helped identify potential private sector partners, namely Prasad Seeds Private Limited, Mackson Group, OmSree Papertek Private Limited, Pan Seeds, and CREC3. These companies are being coordinated into a consortium to sign a Joint Venture Agreement with Taraba State in compliance with the AfDB SAPZ guidelines.
They held meetings with investors and owners of these companies, as well as others involved in construction and solar energy. Almost all the companies expressed their readiness to visit Taraba State and participate in the upcoming Taraba Investment Summit, scheduled for May 21, 2025.


The delegation from Taraba State includes:

- H.E. Dr. Agbu Kefas, Governor of Taraba State

- The Speaker TRHA Rt. Hon. John Kizito Bonzena

- Hon. Abubakar Tanko, House Committee Chairman on Agriculture and Food Security

- Hon. Zanau Hassan Maikasuwa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture and Food Security

- Mrs Sarah Sabo Ali, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security

- Hon. Sarah Enoch, Commissioner of Finance

- Hon. Naomi Tanko, Commissioner of Energy and Economic Development

- Ms. Maryam Moshood, Taraba SAPZ Project Consultant

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM AT THE END OF AN ENLARGED MEETING ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2024

Image
The PDP Governors’ Forum under the leadership of H.E. Governor Bala A. Mohammed, CON, held an enlarged meeting at the Bauchi State Governors’ Lodge, Tatari Ali House, Asokoro on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. Rising from the consultative meeting of the various organs of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the Party resolved as follows: 1. The National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting originally slated for October 24, 2024, has been rescheduled to November 28, 2024. 2. The postponement is to ensure that the party goes into the forthcoming Ondo gubernatorial elections of November 16, 2024 with the unity and strength demanded to unseat the floundering All Progressive Congress, APC government in the state. 3. Reiterating the need for unity in the face of efforts by detractors to divide the party, the meeting called on all members to shun divisive utterances that could undermine ongoing efforts at strengthening the party to effectively play its role as the country’s main opposition, preparatory...
Read more

Communique Issued at the End of the 2024/7th Meeting of The PDP Governors' Forum At Government House, Jos, Plateau State On Saturday, November 23, 2024

Image
The meeting, held at the Plateau State Government House, Little Rayfield, Jos was attended by the principal organs of the party: l NWC, PDP-GF, BOT, NASS Forum, Former Governors Forum, Former Ministers' Forum and other leaders of the party. Rising from the meeting, the organs of the party resolved as follows 1. The Forum notes the concerns of Nigerians, PDP founding fathers, elders and members of our great Party of seeming divisions within the ranks and files. The Forum wishes to state categorically that it remains resolute in its determination to ensure unity and cohesion of this great Party that Nigerians have come to trust as the best platform for democratic governance.  2. The Forum is constrained to accept the latest postponement of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Party in empathy with our colleague, H.E. Governor Eno Bassey, whose late dear wife will be buried on the same day earlier scheduled for NEC. Once again, the Forum wishes to commiserate with our colleague...
Read more

Press Statement Issued After a High-Level Meeting Between PDP National Working Committee Representatives and Governor Bala Mohammed, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Held on 17th September 2024 at Bauchi State Government House

Image
A delegation of the National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) led by the National Legal Adviser, Barrister Kamaludeen Ajibade, SAN today paid solidarity visit on the Governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, CON, to felicitate with him on the giant developmental strides recorded by his administration in delivering democracy dividends to the people of the state. 2. On the delegation were the National Treasurer, the Financial Secretary, the National Woman Leader, the National Publicity Secretary, and the North East National Vice Chairman of the party. 3. The delegation commended the courage and commitment of the Governors Forum in repositioning the party as it strives to deepen democracy and rescue Nigeria from the deep-seated problems confronting her.  The Legacy of the PDP 4. The meeting acknowledged the historical significance of the PDP in shaping Nigeria's democracy and national development as evi...
Read more