For information only - not an official document

UNIS/OUS/019
25 March 2010

Reissued as received

Japan, UNIDO Sign Agreement to Improve
Cassava Processing in Nigeria

VIENNA, 25 March (UN Information Service) - The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Government of Japan and the NGO Ifelodun Cassava Processing CICS are collaborating to implement a project in Nigeria on alternative use of cassava, processing and increased access to poor alternative food types.

The focus is to develop an indigenous flash dryer technology for processing cassava in Oyo State of Nigeria.

A grant signing ceremony, organized for the Government of Japan and the NGO by UNIDO, was held at the United Nations House in Abuja today.

UNIDO will facilitate the collaboration arrangement between the Government of Japan and the NGO and provide technical assistance in the implementation of the project. The NGO received a grant of USD 97,023 from the Government of Japan while about USD 100,000 will be contributed by UNIDO.

"We hope that this project, funded by the Government of Japan and supported by UNIDO, will contribute to community development in Oyo State,'' said Shigeru Hamano, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Japan.

He added that the funding was provided under the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

UNIDO National Programme Officer, Reuben Bamidele, added: "UNIDO's role is to provide small holder processors with the technical support that will enhance large output and good quality of product to help them meet international standards. The components to be provided under the funding include cassava processing equipment such as graters, flash dryer, hammer mill and a bore hole."

Since 2009, UNIDO has been collaborating with the Government of Japan in assisting small scale farmers and producers in Nigeria.

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For more information, please contact

Reuben Bamidele
UNIDO National Programme Officer
Email: rbamidele.unido@undppartners.org