All copyright from vanguard..



The Edo State Government and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have agreed to join forces to bring about transformational change in cassava production, with a proposal for development of a 50,000 hectare farm project in the state

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki revealed his administration’s plan to work with IITA after he gave a speech at the International Conference on Water-Energy-Food Systems (WEFS) in Sub-Saharan Africa, organised by the Pennsylvania State University in collaboration with IITA and the University of Ibadan, in IITA-Ibadan campus.

In a meeting with IITA Director General (DG), Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, Governor Obaseki said his administration’s vision is to establish a cassava production zone of at least 50,000 hectares where cassava will be produced and processed with the active participation of smallholder farmers and the private sector.

Though the focus will be on cassava, the state is looking beyond cassava to other crops in which Edo State has comparative advantage. “We would want IITA to give us a plan that is actionable,” Governor Obaseki said.

Grown by over 3.3 million farmers in Nigeria, cassava has transformed from a food security crop to a cash crop in Nigeria, as most industrial companies are seeking after the root crop as a source of raw material in confectionary, brewery and pharmaceuticals.

Dr. Sanginga said the use of cassava today transcends garri—a grated and roasted form of cassava that is a source of food to millions of people in Africa.

“Today, companies are coming to IITA and asking us how we can support them in setting up cassava farm as a source of raw material,” Dr Sanginga said. Located in the oil-rich delta of Nigeria, Edo State is endowed in both agriculture and oil resources.

Governor Obaseki said his plan is to create wealth, food security, and jobs from agriculture and to put the state on the path of prosperity. He said that his state’s approach to agriculture is to treat it as a business that would bring economic and sustainable development to the state.

lalasticlala enough of all this bad news,give people a sign of hope this sunday morning

That is a nice step in the right direction

good

Nice....

We are moving forward....




You need to see my signature, very important

50,000 Hectares of land is very massive I just hope this is not a scam to take away land from the indigenous people.

50,000 Hectares of land? ? I just de reason my state governor Rochas Okorocha.... if u're from Imo state u will understand what i mean.

This is what each state should be doing.

Me just dey laugh

Other states should follow suit with different crops

Edo Why, waiting una do wey God give una wowo leaders

Must IITA tell you that cassava is lucrative! mad governors with mad president

Wake and See

Nice.. I hope they integrate the newly developed cassava specie that contains karotine which in turn makes the eba yellow naturally. Nigeria is getting there gradually

Edo Amaka

Nigeria Amaka

serikiYCU:
Other states should follow suit with different crops

with lies and empty promises abi?

all this contract that obaseki is signing up and down its only on paper and news that it is been actualised

Without processing facility it's a waste. How will you harvest and process 50,000 hectres. Cassava that has 72hour life after harvest if you done process it.

Hope fully they will allow for processing facility.

omoola007:
Without processing facility it's a waste. How will you harvest and process 50,000 hectres. Cassava that has 72hour life after harvest if you done process it.

Hope fully they will allow for processing facility.

Remember, no news comes in full details.

Hmmm

my governor...

which Edo?

Nice step in the right direction.

Let's see what they can muster out of this alliance for the benefit of the good people of Edo.