Christopher Isiguzo
24 November 2008
Abakaliki — Determined to boost rice production to be able to compete favourably with other rice producing nations, the Federal Government has concluded plans with Ebonyi State government to establish rice clusters in the three senatorial zones of the state.
Briefing newsmen yesterday on the outcome of the state executive council meeting held Friday, Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Mr Kenneth Uhuo, said rice clusters would be located at the major rice producing communities in the three zones.
He said the new clusters would help in better management of rice husks and control of rice milling operations in the state, in order to safeguard the environment, adding that the new clusters would be private-sector driven and would promote the emergence of a new industrial class in the state.
He said a town hall meeting of government and stakeholders would soon be convoked to educate them on modalities for establishing the clusters, adding that the state government had already asked commissioners for Agriculture, and Commerce and Industry, to attend the current international trade in India, to guide it in taking decisions on the type of machines to procure for the take-off of the clusters.
"This is not only in line with the industrialisation policy of the state government, but also a means of attaining the MDG on environmental sanitation.
"You can now see that we have two-pronged objectives and we hope to realise it, especially with the Federal Government acceptance to partner with us," he said.
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