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Nasarawa State Set to Export Cassava Chips to China
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
The private sector in Nasarawa state is to be encouraged to partner with entrepreneurs from China to export cassava chips. This was made known by Governor Abdullahi Adamu while addressing a 2-man team of investors from Genetic International Corporation of China who were led on an exploration visit to the state by the Minister of Commerce, Ambassador Idris Waziri.
Speaking during a courtesy call on him at Government House Lafia, Governor Adamu said the state was one of the highest producers of cassava in the country and was set to increase the production levels if the need arises. Governor Adamu said cassava farming was practiced in all zones of the state and there was not going to be any disappointment if orders were placed by the corporation. According to Governor Adamu, Nasarawa state farmers were preparing to participate in the burgeoning cassava market in Nigeria and would be encouraged by government to increase production.
Speaking earlier, Minister of Commerce, Ambassador Waziri said the renewed interest on cassava was because of government efforts to diversify the economy. He said that when cassava uses were discovered by the Obasanjo administration, government decided to ensure that Nigerian farmers benefited from the discovery. The Minister said that an order has already been placed for about 500,000 metric ton of cassava chips by China and at present, the team from Genetic Corporation was prepared to sign an agreement for another 100,000 metric tons. He stated that if these orders were successfully executed, many more orders for cassava chips will be placed.
Also speaking, the leader of the Chinese delegation said China was very prepared to buy huge quantities of cassava chip from Nigeria because of the quality of Nigerian chips. He praised Nigeria for making it possible for the two countries to improve their trade relations.
Present at the call were members of the executive council, traditional rulers, local government officials and agricultural experts.
The team was shown a heap of raw harvested cassava, processing sites and farms around the state.
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