Edo State Outgrower Enterprise Project

As part of the need to boost cassava production in the Niger Delta and enhance local processing capacity to feed the industrial market, PIND partnered with Ere-Egwa Farms, Edo State Government, and Edo State Farmers’ Cooperative Agency to establish a cassava farmers out-growers’ scheme on 3,000 hectares of land in Edo State and establish a factory which will use the feedstock of the cassava as raw materials to produce industrial starch.

This project is still in the planning stage and yet to commence. So far, there have been series of engagement with the Edo State Government (Ministry of Agriculture and survey) as well as the leaders of the community (Orogho Dukedom) where the project will be implemented. As a result of the engagement, the community leaders have a better understanding of the project and the attendant benefits to the community.

The Edo State ministry of commerce has commenced the survey of the farm land. So far, 2000ha has been surveyed and harvesting of the initial 500ha that was established has commenced. About 50 hectares have been harvested (with 27tons/ha) and sales made to Thai farms worth about N11m.