The Ogun State Government has asked Agro-processing Companies and other Agro-allied outfits operating in the state, to always make use of more indigenous technological innovations in harnessing various benefits in agricultural production and its value-chain.
The State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Kikelomo Longe made the call in Abeokuta during an Investment Forum on Mobile Cassava Processing Innovation (MOCAPI) organised by the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
She stated that such innovation would help address challenges of Nigerian farmers and processors, which include; high transportation cost, limited production capacity, crude processing procedures, wastages and losses due to damages caused by ineffective packaging.
The Commissioner lauded GIZ, AMS Africa and Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), for jointly developing MOCAPI and successfully testing the prototype in three communities in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of the State
Longe stressed that the innovation would ease the processing of cassava in a hygienic manner, strengthen the aggregator segment of the cassava value-chain, as well as increase the profitability of cottage processors.
She added that the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration's commitment to strengthen the State's position as the industrial capital of Nigeria, has enabled government create linkages between Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sub-sector and large industries operating in the State.
Her words,“This administration has put in place different initiatives and opportunities such as construction of four cassava processing centres at Baara, Alapako-Oni, Oke-Iyemi and Ayetoro, re-energised the Ogun State Agricultural and Multipurpose Credit Agency (OSAMCA), provided the OGSG-BOI N1billion Fund Scheme at 7 percent interest rate and embarked on the development of an agro-cargo airport".
“This government is also developing a special agro-processing zone in partnership with the African Development Bank, as well as planning six Economic Development Clusters across the three Senatorial Districts, among other efforts”, the Commissioner said.
In her contributions, the Value-Chain Advisor for Cassava, Green Innovation Centres for Agriculture and Food Sector in Nigeria, Dr. Bidemi Ajibola says the MOCAPI is a tricycle that helps in the hygienic and sustainable processing of cassava, resulting in reduction of drudgery for women and improvement in the cottage processes.
Ajibola called on investors and government agencies to invest in mass production of cassava with the use of the innovation, adding that the innovators would relate with the Ogun State Agricultural and Multipurpose Credit Agency (OSAMCA) to enable more farmers benefit from the invention.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen, the Managing Director, Process Concepts and Technologies Limited, Ibadan, Engr. Victor Olomo who was one of the fabricators under MOCAPI says the machine is low capital intensive and rust-resistant, which allows farmers including those in the hinterlands add value to cassava, stating that the spare parts are available in the Nigerian market.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Ramotalai Fatola of Ifesowapo Processing Business School, Farm Estate, Isaga-Orile, who indicated that the machine was easy to operate, particularly by women, appealed that the cost of the product should be subsidised.
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