The Export Trade, Agricultural and Industrial Development Fund (EDAIF) has approved an amount of about GH10 million for the implementation of Phase I of its Cassava Integrated Enterprise Development Project which is aimed at large scale production and processing of cassava for industrial use and export.

The objective of the project which will be implemented in phases is to increase economic opportunities through sustainable and competitive cassava production, marketing and agro-enterprise development in Ghana.

The approved fund for the first phase is to be utilized for the establishment of three factories at Ejura in the Ashanti Region, Kintampo in the Brong-Ahafo Region and Damongo in the Northern Region.

The factories will produce High Quality Cassava Flour for the domestic market (to substitute for wheat imports for flour) and for export. In line with EDAIF’s holistic approach, 1,200 out-growers are also being supported to cultivate cassava in the three regions to feed the factories.

EDAIF is working with implementation partners who are providing technical support in terms of best practice agronomy to the out-growers.

The second and third phases of the project will focus on the production of industrial alcohol and cassava starch and will be implemented in the other regions of the country.