Learning from the field and sharing experiences among peers is critical to scaling sustainable agricultural transformation
Under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Program, the Federal Government, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has initiated a high-level learning route on the Commodity Alliance Forum (CAF).
A diverse set of stakeholders across the agriculture value chain, such as farmer groups, agro-investors, development partners, and government officials, were present at the event, which was hosted in Benue State.
A dynamic platform that allows stakeholders to exchange ideas, deepen collaboration, and scale best practices in agribusiness development is provided by the learning route, which is anchored in the 4Ps Model by the Public-Private-Producer Partnership.
The purpose of the initiative, as stated by the federal government, is to highlight Benue’s success in implementing the CAF model through the Value Chain Development initiative (VCDP), with the intention of informing SAPZ implementation from a national perspective.
Facilitating the flow of resources and information among various stakeholders, strengthening the 4Ps model across agricultural initiative are the primary goals of the learning route.
The State’s Project Coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Igbaukum, lauded Benue’s function as the “food basket” of Nigeria in his speech. Using the state’s experience as a model, he hopes that other states will be able to achieve the success.
National Knowledge Management and Communication Specialist Shehu Babangida, speaking on behalf of SAPZ’s National Program Coordinator, praised Benue’s CAF implementation.
He said, “Benue has distinguished itself as one of the top-performing states in implementing CAF. This visit is an opportunity for others to learn from their innovations and commitment to inclusive agribusiness.”
Emphasizing the importance of the learning route, Dr. Unoja Ameh, head of the Country Program Advisory Team said, “Learning from the field and sharing experiences among peers is critical to scaling sustainable agricultural transformation.”
The promotion of sustainable and inclusive agricultural growth, the enhancement of gender and youth participation in the sector, and the improvement of access to markets, inputs, the provision of financing, and extension services for smallholder farmers are some of the other key objectives of the learning route