Japan Donates N46M For Rice, Cassava Processing

THE government of Japan has given a grant of N46 million for the processing of rice, cassava and the construction of a skills acquisition centre in Nigeria.

  While the rice-processing project is located in Lafia, Nasarawa state, the casava processing plant is located in Oyo state while the skills acquisition centre is to be built in Bwari Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory.

  The grant was signed in Abuja by Ambasador Ryiuchi Shoji, who said that his embassy decided to fund the projects because of their importance to the food security and employment generation needs of Nigeria.

  According to him, the embassy is funding the acquisition of 27 destoners for the already established rice mill in Lafia in order for Nigeria to meet its vision of reducing imported rice. The cassava plant to be built in Adegbite community in Ido local government area of Oyo state is expected to improve the economy of local farmers and as well, reduce their burden in processing and increase their productivity.

  The ambassador noted that the vocational training project, which will be completed in eight months will improve the livelihood of 7,500 people within the community where it will be located.

  The project for the construction of the skills centre in Bwari is to be implemented by Initiative for Food, Environment and Health Society, whose Executive Director, Virginia Ifeadiro assured will be completed and put to use within the stipulated time. The project is for training in arts and crafts. 

  “This project is need driven. Learning these crafts cost as much as N50,000 elsewhere but when the facility is completed, we will charge between N1,000 and N5,000 so that community women and youths can benefit. The money generated from enrolment and sales of products will be used as operational cost”, she said.

  The rice processing project is being implemented by Nasarawa Agricultural Development Programme. The processing mill was established with assistance from JICA while the embassy is helping with the purchase of destoners, to remove stones from locally grown rice. The cassava plant in Oyo state is to be implememted by Centre for Community Development. JICA said it will soon begin the construction of 260 fully furnished primary classrooms and toilets in Oyo state.