Taraba Govt to set up cassava processing plants

… Flags off distribution of 5m stems IITA cassava variety to farmers
The Taraba state government has expressed readiness to establish three Cassava Processing Plants in the three Senatorial Districts, with a view to improving its agricultural productivity.

Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku, who made the assertion while flagging off the distribution of 2018 cassava stems to farmers said the initiative, came as a result of the excellent performance of cassava farmers in the 2017 cropping season.

The ceremony held yesterday at the Headquarters of the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Jalingo.

Ishaku noted that the establishment of the Plants was aimed at creating markets for the finished products and also to provide an enabling environment for healthy competition among the cassava producers in the State.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Haruna Manu, Ishaku added, “Government deems it necessary to give the desired attention to agriculture because of the fact that it is a major source of income of the majority of the people in the State”.

The Governor further disclosed that last year, 2017, the State Government procured 2.5 stems of TME 419 cassava variety from the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Oyo State which he pointed out was distributed to farmers in the State.

“This year, the State procured over five million stems of the improve cassava variety for distribution to farmers across the State.

“The gesture has helped greatly in boosting cassava farming in the State and also motivated many farmers to join the cassava farming business; in addition, it also fetched Taraba State a letter of commendation from the National body of Cassava Farmers of Nigeria”, he said.

Earlier, in his address of welcome, the Commissioner, State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. David Ishaya Kassa, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Bujuje Danjuma revealed that the State government intention of distributing the improved Cassava Stems procured from IITA, Ibadan was aimed at boosting the production of Cassava in the State and to successfully carry out the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) of the Crop.

While calling on the farmers to justify the State Government efforts by maintaining the tempo of dedication and commitment to the farming business, the Commissioner added that government will further appreciate their efforts through the release of more inputs.