NRCRI Umudike Enters Partnership With Barn Holdings To Develop Animal Feeds From Cassava Peels, Others

In a move to unlock the economic potentials in root crops, the National Root Crops Research Institute, NRCRI Umudike, Abia State has entered partnership with Barn Holding limited to process and develop wide range of animal feeds from Cassava Peels and other related root crops.

The two establishments signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday at the NRCRI , Umudike, in which the Executive Director of NRCRI, Professor Chiedozie Egesi and the Chief Executive Officer of Barn Holdings, Tony Jibunoh appended their signatures.

The Chief Executive Officer and the Managing Director of Barn Holding Group, Tony Jibunoh in his speech, said his company came to Abia State to replicate what it did in Ibadan Oyo State by unlocking the untapped vast potentials in Cassava peels and other root crop wastes.

He noted that agricultural potentials of the State , especially in livestock development, would be fully harnessed, further transforming the Abia State economy.

Jibunoh said that Abia State is the first State his company is investing in the South East, saying that the company is committed to the development of Nigeria’s livestock potential.

He noted that there was no better institution to partner with in the investment initiative than the National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, foremostly known for its research in root crops.

He pointed out that the company would be requiring 10,000 hectares of lands from Abia State government for the project, noting that food production and food security would recieve major boost when the project comes on board.

Jibunoh who expressed the confidence that the Federal government will support the investment, explained that feeds from roots and tuber crops can feed Nigeria’s livestock, when harnessed.

Also speaking, Mr. Richard Mbaram from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Abuja said that the establishment of of Milking Barn in Abia State will generate employment and help the people of the State to have idea about agriculture.

“Women and youths will benefit, cottage industries will spring up and the IGR of Abia State will increase.

” Consultations are on for the State government to provide the land while the pilot phase will begin is expected to begin this year”.

He observed that the investment can help in solving herders/farmers crises as according to him, with the development of animal feeds from Cassava Peels and other root crops, Cattle rearers and their herds may no longer need to be itinerant but can easily buy processed feeds for their animals.

Mbaram commended the administration of Governor Alex Otti on his development strides .

Earlier in his speech, the Executive Director of NRCRI Umudike, Professor Chiedozie Egesi said his institute has the national and regional mandates in research , production and marketing of root crops , for food security and wealth creation.

He noted that the institute is working in line with the agenda of the President Bola Tinubu in food security and wealth creation, including the Public -Private Partnership (PPP).

After the signing of the MoU, the NRCRI Executive Director and the executives of the investors , inspected the NRCRI Cassava processing department.

The investment drive and the research expertise of the NRCRI is under the agreement , expected to benefit from the friendly investment environment already created by Governor Alex Otti, OFR through the Abia State Ministry of Agriculture.

Meanwhile, the executives of Barn Holdings had visited the Abia State Ministry of Agriculture to present the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze with their investment plans and their request for 10,000 hectares of lands from Abia State government.