PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF ESTABLISHING A SMALL SCALE GARRI PROCESSING FACTORY AT UGBENE IN ABAKPA, ENUGU

CHAPTER  ONE

INTRODUCTION

With the coming of the colonial masters in 18th century, a lot of other varieties of food were introduced to the Nigeria populace.  These include rice, beans, millet, corn, garri gaborn, plantain and garri.

Cassava in Nigeria can also serve as a source of foods such as Abacha, Garri, Pounded foofoo.  Before the introduction of garri, yam was the major staple food consumed by our rural dwellers in Southern part of Nigeria.  Later, pounded cassava foofoo is now competing with yam in Nigeria.  Early seventies (70’s), garri has gained prominence as the most staple food consumed by both the urban and rural dwellers.

There is no gain saying the fact that cassava, which can be converted into a variety of food items ranging from garri to pounded foofoo is a must dominant food crop in Nigeria.  There is no doubt, therefore, that there is adequate supply and a strong demand for cassava processing industries in Nigeria. 

For the purpose of this study, therefore, we shall at the outset, look at the problem inherent in establishing small scale garri processing industry with particular reference to Ugbene in Abakpa, East Local Government Area of Enugu State.  It is actually true that the Federal Government of Nigeria through various programmes initiated has shown concern over the establishment of cottage industries in Nigeria but these programme initiatives were more often than not still born due to the number of problems which we may wish to throw a little light on.