FG approves N10bn cassava development fund

The Federal Government has approved N10 billion for the Cassava Development Fund (CDF), a statement by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said on Wednesday in Abuja.

The statement signed by Greyne Anosike, director of public relations and press in the ministry, quoted the minister, Akinwumi Adesina, as disclosing this at a meeting where directors and value chain team leaders signed the performance management contract.

The statement quoted Adesina as saying that President Goodluck Jonathan had approved the fund for the development of the cassava sub-sector.

It also quoted the minister as saying that the approval would encourage the staff of the ministry to work harder to feed the nation.

It added that the president would launch the Youth Employment Programme (YEAP) also known as ‘NAGROPRENEUERS’.

According to the statement, the programme would help create employment through the agriculture value chains.

It stated that the minister commended the staff for exceeding targets set for them, adding that they should work to surpass the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for 2013.

The statement also quoted the minister as saying that Nigeria must meet its rice needs by 2015 and reduce food imports to the barest.