The Nigeria Cassava Growers Association (NCGA) in Ondo State has urged the government to provide the union with 6,000 hectares to fast-track the World Bank’s N4.5 billion ethanol project.
Speaking at the High Quality Cassava flour launch/distribution of fertiliser and herbicides in Akure, NCGA Chairman Fela Olorunmodimu said with the land, the project would accommodate 500 graduate farmers.
Olorunmodimu noted that the loan was facilitated by e-debit international financing organisation, a subsidiary of World Bank.
He added the World Bank was financing the project to the tune of N1.6 billion for land clearing and N900 million for planting.
“It is going to be sited in Bolorunduro-Ogbese in Akure North, where we have 12 hectares freehold land but this project can only be achievable and remain in Ondo State if the government can provide us with 6,000 hectares for cultivation of cassava to feed the ethanol plant.
“The farmland has to be within a 20 kilometre radius to the factory site. This is the only condition for the factory to be sited in the state but we believe our caring heart government will not allow us lose this opportunity.”