Saudi investors identify Kwara as host for proposed Agric City

In a move that will further boost food security in Nigeria and contribute to the diversification agenda of the government, Zain Al-abdin Group, an investment company based in Saudi Arabia, has announced plans to set up a multi-purpose Agric City in Kwara State.

Speaking to newsmen at the end of his visit to the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed in Ilorin, Zain Al-Abdin Nafawi, Chairman of Zain Al-abdin Group said the city or settlement will comprise a cluster of farms specialising in cultivation, processing and export of rice, maize and vegetables.

Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, Governor, Kwara State 

 Governor Ahmed in his welcome speech to the Saudi delegation noted that the multimillion dollar investment is in line with the state government’s plan to broaden the state’s economy, feed the people and provide feed stock for industries. He expressed delight at the decision of the Saudi group to invest in Kwara State.

Nafawi who led the delegation including other members of the group to the State House in Ilorin added that due to the large number of people that will reside and work in the proposed Agric City, markets, schools, hospitals, shops and other associated facilities will also form part of the project. The proposed Agric City will be located along River Niger in Kwara North.

Apart from religious and cultural affinities between Kwara State and Saudi Arabia, the chairman explained that previous experience of the state in hosting the Shonga Farm Initiative, a cluster of large scale agricultural investors from South Africa, helped to sway the group to settle for Kwara State as destination for the project.

Other mitigating factors considered by the investment group are the state’s favourable weather condition and arable land. Nafawi disclosed that the Saudi government is currently supporting Saudi investors to invest in agriculture across the world, especially Africa.