adminMaria Chiguvari
AFRICAN Development Bank Ambassador, Dr Judith Kateera has urged farmers to focus on Special Agro-industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs).
Speaking at the Smart Farming Indaba held on Saturday, she stated that Africa remains a net importer of food despite the fact that it has 60 percent of global uncultivated arable land.
To achieve zero hunger in Africa, she said the continent will require between US$28,5 billion to US$36,5 billion investment annually.
“SAPZs provide a comprehensive and sustainable solution for Regional Member States,” she said.
The objective is to bring economic infrastructure to rural areas of high agricultural potential.
“If we improve the economic infrastructure, it will attract investment from private agro-industrialists and entrepreneurs to boost productivity and competitiveness.
“The goal is to increase food production efficiency, improve capacity in agriculture value and create employment by promoting agro industry and agribusiness,” she said.
She said there are many ways that SAPZs are funded.0
Ambassador Kateera said Zimbabwe is ready to offer land for this mega project that will not only be transformative, but impactful to the economy.
“Some domestic investors have shown appetite for the SAPZs which now awaits a proper, clear, transparent strategy that ensures ownership and implementation will be a private sector-led initiative,” she said.
Online Reporter