Experts Harp on Need to Expand Cassava Cultivation in Nigeria
- Private sector players in cassava farming have been advised to leverage resources to expand their reach in Nigeria
- The advice was given recently at the National Cassava Summit held in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
- Agriculture stakeholders in the cassava value chain from the private and public sector including researchers participated in the summit
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FCT, Abuja - Experts in cassava seed production have emphasised the need to leverage resources from the private sector players to expand cassava farming in Nigeria.
Speaking during the National Cassava Summit held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, the experts who were drawn from public and private sectors agreed that Nigeria has not explored its potential to be the real leader in cassava production in Africa and indeed in the world.
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Speaking at the summit with the theme, ‘Catalyzing and Scaling Private Sector-Led Cassava Seed Development,’ the Director of Agriculture and Agro-industry, Africa Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Martin Fregene, said increased cassava yields could reduce the annual food import bill of African countries estimated at about $35 billion.
Fregene, who was represented by Mr. Tabii Karikari, said the available technology toolkit for the cassava compact was already in use, adding that the laboratory propagation technique (Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics Technology) for rapid multiplication of the seed and commercial dissemination provides high-quality disease-free stem cuttings.
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His words:
“The National Cassava private sector-led Seed DevelopmentSummit is particularly important at this time as there is a growing need to leverage resources from private sector players in filling the financing gap in the sector, while providing opportunity for agri-preneurship and agri-business growth.
“May I mention the need to also accelerate the deployment of other toolkits, notably mechanisation and modern processing technologies.”
According to him, there is a need to leverage resources from the private sector players to expand cassava farming in Nigeria.
Fregene also called for the mechanisation of cassava planting and harvesting, combined with high-yielding variety and complementary agronomy practices that will lead to higher competitiveness and economic breakthrough for the cassava farmers.
The Director of the Development and Delivery Office, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Alfred Dixon, underscored the imperative of deploying technologies and innovations to boost food production in Nigeria and Africa.
He advocated the promotion of inclusive investment in the cassava sector while calling for strategies for launching cassava into a high-performing and growth-oriented sub-sector.
Dixon stated:
“We have made progress but more needs to be done to achieve the cassava sector of our dream in Nigeria. Our yield per hectare must increase significantly above 20 tonnes per ha up from the current 9 tonnes per ha to make us globally competitive.
“The cassava sector needs to attract new investments to cut imports of other alternatives and save foreign exchange. Jobs and wealth need to be created to engage young men and women and have a prosperous nation. Cassava must remain a pillar and beacon of our food security.”
The Executive Director, Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), Dr. Dara Akala said his organisation has since 2016 invested almost $ 800,000 to increase cassava productivity, strengthen coordination and relationships of cassava value chain actors, and promoted improved technologies for cassava production in the Niger Delta region.
He added:
“Through this, we have effectively reached approximately 300,000 farmers with information and training, facilitated the creation of almost 2,500 jobs and a network of 150 service providers.”
How PIND has positively impacted the economy of the Niger Delta
PIND recently marked its 10th year of operation in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
Since its establishment in 2010, PIND has been promoting peace and equitable economic growth in the Niger Delta region by forging multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder partnerships at the regional, national, and international levels.
PIND and its operating partner, US-based NDPI, have had a major impact on Nigeria’s Niger Delta over the last decade - including over $100 million in additional investments from government entities, the private sector, and donor agencies into the region.
Source: Legit.ng
