The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) says it has embarked on construction of a N30 million cashew processing plant in Iyara, Ijumu Local Government area of Kogi.
Mr Sayuti Wali, State Director of RMRDC, said that the plant was being established in collaboration with the local government.
Wali said that construction work on the plant would be completed by the end of 2011, adding that it would comprise shelling, steam boiling, drying, peeling, sorting, grading and packaging facilities.
He said that when completed, the plant would provide 250 job opportunities and also boost socio-economic activities of the people of Iyara and its environs.
Wali said that cashew farmers in Ijumuland would also benefit from the project as they would be the major suppliers of raw materials to the plant.
He said that the plant would have the capacity to produce one tonne of cashew products per day.
Wali commended the outgoing Chairman of the council, Mr Joseph Owotogbe, for his vision and purposeful leadership.
He expressed optimism that the partnership would yield fruitful results to the people.
The cashew processing plant will be the second of its kind in Kogi and the largest processor of cashew nuts in the country.
The first cashew processing plant, jointly established by RMRDC and Kogi State University, is located in Ayangba and came on stream in 2010
