Sequel to the agreement signed between the Kogi State Government and Cargill, an American Investor, on its proposed $100 million investment over a 30,000 hectares of land for the construction of a Cassava Processing factory, the state government has declared it readiness to facilitate the land acquisition process.
Governor Idris Idris Wada disclosed this over the weekend at a workshop organized by the state government for Cargill Resettlement Action Plan (Land Acquisition Plan) for the proposed Cargill Starch Plant in Alape, Kogi State.
The Cargill Agricultural Production and Processing project is a potential investment to support the staple crop processing zone that is planned in Alape, Kogi State.
This project would enable Cargill become the major private sector investor to support the agricultural transformation strategy set out by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, supported by the Kogi State Government.
Represented by his Deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, Captain Wada assured all the parties involved in the project that all transactions relating to land acquisition and land tenure will be conducted transparently and in accordance with established laws and international best practices.
Earlier, Peter Neilson, Vice President, Cargill West Africa said the starch facility will produce up to 90,000 metric tonnes per year of cassava starch.
The investment, he disclosed, would set up an inclusive farming model that would enable small farm holders to have access to training, crop inputs and a reliable, fair market for their crops.
In his introductory remarks, James Awoniyi, consultant and technical adviser on Agriculture to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the intention of the Federal Government is to look beyond farming for feeding purposes but as an important business, commended the Kogi State Government for having a robust Agricultural policy since its creation.
He said the workshop would unfold the process that needs to be introduced in the Land Management at the Alape Staple Crop Processing Zone.