By Saio Marrah
The Rice Agro-Industrial Cluster (RIAC) unit of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is set to empower Njala University to become the centre of the production of rice threshers and other rice processing equipment.
This is according to a newsletter from the Ministry of Agriculture, published on the 29th of August, this year.
John M.P Sinah, during a visit to the university by the RIAC team, on the 26th of August 2022 pointed out that their trip was intended to execute a project geared towards supporting the university to train technicians and fabricators in thresher production.
It also includes repair and maintenance that comprise the general maintenance of rice agro-processing equipment.
According to him, the project also includes the rehabilitation of the engineering workshop and retooling or upgrading of the workshop for the university.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University, Professor Andrew Baimba, thanked the ministry of agriculture for their continuous support to Njala.
He also extended his appreciation to the African Development Bank (AFDB) for enhancing the agriculture engineering department of the university under the RAIC project.
Both two parties were said to have agreed to scale up the discussion with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to bind the two parties on the project.
The RIAC development objective is geared towards contributing to rice self-sufficiency and improving the livelihood of rural households.
The project will be implemented in Bonthe and Pujehun districts and is targeting rice producers, processors, Small Medium Enterprises, and, private sector actors.
It is implemented by the agriculture ministry with the support from AFDB.
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