Federal Government says the country will save a whopping N187 billion annually with the consumption of cassava bread by Nigerians.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Arc. Sonny Echono, disclosed this at the launching of the Cassava/Wheat Composite Flour and presentation of baking equipment to master bakers in Abuja.

According to him, the Cassava Bread Intervention Fund was to be managed by the Bank of Industry with the Bank of Agriculture to produce a synergy that will save Nigeria N187 billion on a yearly basis when cassava bread consumption is accepted by everybody.

“So far, the programme is yielding the desired dividends as the BOI delivers equipment worth several millions of naira to master bakers, 2000 master bakers have been trained, the government is looking forward to training about 5000 master bakers,” he said.

In its goodwill message, the Master Bakers Association, commended BOI for effective management of the intervention fund

BoI’s Managing Director, Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, who was represented by the zonal director of the bank, commended the honour accorded the bank to put bakers together, promising that the BoI make a success of the Cassava Bread Intervention Programme.

•Adapted from Vanguard. Photo shows Agriculture Minister, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina.