Gov. Agbu Kefas of Taraba has led a delegation to India as part of efforts to attract investors in agriculture, food production, and processing to the state.
Kefas said the visit was conducted under the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) initiative aimed at strengthening local economies through agricultural development.
He said the primary focus under the SAPZ project included rice production, grains, and root and tuber crops, all of which are already extensively cultivated in Taraba State.
The governor explained that under the SAPZ model, investors were expected to provide 85 per cent of the project financing, while the government would contribute 15 per cent to ensure sustainability.
Kefas noted that despite Taraba’s significant agricultural output, processing activities remained minimal, adding that the government hoped the state would be selected for the SAPZ project.
He said the delegation engaged with several companies during the visit, including AgTech Innovation Labs, Prasad Seeds Company, PAN Seeds Company, agro-confectionery firms, a recycling paper manufacturing factory, pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, and China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group Company Ltd (CREC3).
According to him, the companies expressed their readiness to participate in the Taraba Investment Summit scheduled for May 21, 2025.
He added that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security was preparing to launch fertilizer distribution and expedite the release of government-procured tractors to support land preparation for the 2025 farming season.
