Farmers News - Consumption of cassava bread saves N187bn annually —FG

AS the Bank of Industry delivers equipment worth several millions of naira to 97 master bakers across the country in fulfilment of its part in the N9.9 billion Cassava Bread Intervention Fund, the Federal Government has stated that about N187 billion will be saved annually with the consumption of cassava bread by all and sundry.

The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Sonny Echono, disclosed this at the launching of the Cassava/Wheat Composite Flour and commissioning and presentation of baking equipment to master bakers in Abuja.

According to him, the Cassava Bread Intervention Fund was to be managed by the Bank of Industry (BOI) with the Bank of Agriculture to produce a synergy that would save Nigeria N187 billion yearly when cassava bread consumption is accepted by everybody.

“So far, the programme is yielding the desired dividends as the BOI delivers equipment worth several millions of naira to master bakers, 2000 master bakers have been trained, the government is looking forward to train about 5,000 master bakers,” he said.

In its goodwill message, the Master Bakers Association commennded BOI for effective management of the intervention fund.  The bank, under the programme, is expected to deliver equipment to 117 master bakers across the country.  The association, which disclosed that there were over 450,000 master bakers in Nigeria, implored the bank to extend the gesture to the remaining master bakers under the intervention fund.

Speaking at the event, the BOI Managing Director, Mr Rasheed Olaoluwa, who was represented by the Zonal Director of the bank, commended the honour accorded the bank to bring bakers together, promising that the BOI would make a success of the cassava bread intervention programme.

Commissioning the baking equipment funded by BOI, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, commended the Transformation Agenda put in place by President Goodluck Jonathan and admonished all Nigerians to patronise the crops grown by Nigerian farmers.

Source: http://www.tribune.com.ng/news/news-headlines/item/22019-consumption-of-cassava-bread-saves-n187bn-annually-fg