The National Food Buffer Stock Company Ltd (NAFCO) and the Ghana Industrial Cassava Stakeholders’ Platform (GICSP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the supply of locally produced Gari to schools under the Free Senior High School Programme.
NAFCO CEO, Mr George Abradu-Otoo and the President of GICSP, Mr. Chris Quarshie initialled the MoU intended to boost local production and processing of Gari and curb the supply of imported gari in schools.
The move is also a response to reported glut of cassava and cassava-related products in parts of the country during the last farming season, compelling many local farmers to call for state intervention.
Under the framework of the MoU, the group and its members are expected to aggregate the product from local farmers and processors for onward distribution to schools on behalf of NAFCO.
NAFCO supplied some 4,800 metric tones of Gari to senior high schools last academic year and the new arrangements are intended to enhance traceability, quality and uninterrupted supplies.
NAFCO had earlier signed similar arrangements with local palm oil processors.
The General Secretary of the Ghana Industrial Cassava Stakeholders’ Platform, Mr Shadrach Sarpei Kwadey, noted that in addition to market access, the MOU provides an opportunity for economic growth in rural communities.
