A $684 million deal has been reached by Niger State to revamp the agricultural sector in order to guarantee food security, create jobs, and promote economic expansion.

The deal calls for the development of a 50,000-hectare Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) to revolutionise the industry, according to Abdullberqy Usman Ebbo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Digital Media and Strategy, who made the disclosure.

The Governor revolutionised the agricultural value chain in Nigeria, particularly in Niger State, by signing a deal with China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC) and China Overseas Engineering Group Company Limited (COVEC).

“This long-term investment will transform the agriculture industry, ensure food security, generate thousands of employment opportunities, and foster economic growth.” He clarified, “The goal is to promote commodities and important crops in Niger State that have a strong potential to increase export profits.

He went on to say that the Niger State SAPZ will support greater market access, value addition, job creation, productivity gains, and private sector investment in certain agricultural value chain commodities.

Ebbo went on to say that Niger State is one of the first few states to join the African Development Bank’s agricultural program, which aims to positively catalyse the continent’s agricultural development.