The village of Karaudarnau in Region Nine is the beneficiary of a brand new $14 million agro-processing facility specifically designed to enhance the value-added production of peanuts cultivated within the community, and catering to both new and existing agro-processors.
According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) release yesterday, the facility was commissioned by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha and is expected to positively impact the livelihoods of more than 200 persons by offering them the opportunity to generate additional income while improving their skills in business development.
In his remarks at the commissioning, the minister noted that the government has been building similar facilities across the country to promote and facilitate agro-processing and value-added production. He also disclosed that similar facilities are now being constructed in hinterland areas to boost the village economies.
The facility will enable stakeholders to access better prices for their products by expanding their presence in both local and international markets through value-added production. With its modern equipment, the facility will achieve greater efficiency in producing high-demand items like peanut butter, roasted peanuts, parched peanuts, and cashew nuts, resulting in more favourable prices compared to selling the raw products, the release added.
