The Federal Government has approved a cassava processing cottage industry for the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria in Imo, the State Coordinator, Mrs Stella Opara, said on Wednesday.

Opara told newsmen in Owerri that the cottage industry would be sited in the state capital.

She noted that the industry, when operational, would enhance cassava production and create more jobs for unemployed youths in the state.

She stressed the need for more cassava production in the area to ensure full and effective utilisation of the crop.

The coordinator said that the association had already paid N500,000 counterpart funds to the Federal Government as part of the criteria for establishing the cottage industry.

She added that one hectare had also been donated to the association by the traditional ruler of Oforola in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo for the project.

Opara said the project was geared towards the enhancement and sustainability of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda of the Federal and Imo Governments.

She said the association had acquired 15 hectares at the Federal College of Land Resources Technology situated at Oforola.

She added that a Memorandum of Understanding had been signed with the Provost of the college, Mr Uche Agwu.

The coordinator further said that the association and the college would set up a committee that would supervise the operation of the project.

She expressed optimism that with the assistance of the Federal Government and banks, the project would be well executed.

Opara pointed out that the project would give rise to animal husbandry, aquaculture and cash crops development.

“The place, if properly utilised, would serve as a research demonstration farm for the students of the institution.

“While the school provides the land, the association would provide money to implement the project,” she said

Opara said that the association, the umbrella body of all agricultural commodity associations in the country had started leasing five hectares of land to every 10 farmers in the state for a period of 10 years.

She said that additional six hectares located at Umunakam in Ideato South Local Government Area had been allotted to 10 farmers for cassava cultivation.