By Bisola Adeyemo
As part of efforts to improve agricultural system and develop food security in the country, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono has commissioned Cassava Plant at Afam in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Speaking during the Commissioning Ceremony on Thursday, Alhaji Sabo Nanono noted that the plant will also promote the adoption and use of 10% high quality cassava flour (HQCF) in the bread and confectionery business, to reduce wheat importation and conserve foreign exchange earnings to meet other needs.
This was disclosed on Thursday in a statement signed by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, the Chief Information Officer of the Ministry.
According to the statement, ‘’ Rivers State is among the Top 5 Cassava producing States. It is therefore of necessity and thoughtful on the part of Government that cares for its farmers to embark on project of this nature that will enhance value addition and guarantee employment to the people “.
Nanono stressed that ‘’this factory when it is fully operational will be fed with output from 3,000 farmers within the farming communities as well as other farmers far and wide from neighbouring communities.
“The Processing Plant will also cultivate thousands of hectares of Cassava to ensure uninterrupted supplies of raw materials, In all these arrangements, massive jobs will be created and over 20,000 farm families will earn income for enhanced livelihood and improved standard of living.
“This milestone achievement of the Government of Rivers State will promote export substitution, job creation, economic diversification as well as food and nutrition security. This is in tandem with the agricultural policy put in place by the present Federal Government poised to build agribusiness ecosystem that will address the challenges in the agricultural sector in partnership with all stakeholders.”
In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesome Wike stated that the primary focus of his administration is to diversify the economy of the State from oil and gas to Agricultural Development by providing financial support and inputs to the Smallholder farmers in the State.