New $200 million cassava processing factory to be established in Nigeria

Osun State Government in Nigeria has signed an agreement with an American company, FCI Commodities Incorporated, for the establishment of a cassava processing factory in the state. Three big and 12 small scale factories were commissioned a few months ago in the state.

The project will produce 200,000 tonnes of cassava flour and chips per year, 1,000 tonnes of ethanol per day and 200,000 tonnes of starch per year. When commissioned, it is expected to generate over 1,000 jobs.

Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola said, "The company will produce chips, starch and ethanol for export. It is the belief of our administration that when our state is fully industrialised, there will be full employment for our people and their standards of living will improve."

The company's consultant, Dr. Sunday Eka, said setting up the operation would cost $200 million. He said the factories which would be put in place soon would have their own farms as well as source raw materials from out growers.

Eka said FCI and Glihio Nigeria Limited would involve local farmers and communities in the growing of cassava, adding that a training school will be established to teach them local farmers on growing of cassava species with market value. He cautioned the state government against interference in the management of the project so that it could achieve the desire results. He lauded the singular roles played by (traditional leader) Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, in giving out 50,000 acres of land in Ile-Ife for the planting of cassava for the project.

This Day