Post by Trade Coach on Jan 10, 2024 18:46:52 GMT 1
How Nigeria's Humble Cassava Can Fuel a Food & Export Revolution - Cracking the Code of Nigeria's Cassava
This is the very beginning of the New Year 2024, a year filled with promise, but events happening have presented red lights that need to be quickly addressed before the year goes far. One of the areas is: The current situation of cassava in the country. A plastic bucket of garri known as Ike now cost N1,500 in Lagos.
This is the event that gave birth to this article; an average family of four can manage this paint bucket of garri for just two days. Something must be done to tame this bear rearing its ugly head. The country and its leaders cannot sit down and be watching this horror movie without taking action, hence this piece. We will tear the problem facing agriculture in Nigeria and proffer solutions to the government and stakeholders.
Let us start with the first stanza of the article, more are coming later.
Overview of the Cassava Industry in Nigeria: A Hidden Jewel Awaiting Polishing
Nigeria's silent giant: Cassava, the unassuming tuber, is not just a staple food for over 200 million Nigerians, but also the bedrock of its economic and agricultural landscape. Contributing an estimated 20% to the GDP and accounting for almost 20% of global production, Nigeria, the world's largest cassava producer, wears its crown with quiet dignity. But beneath the surface lies a treasure chest brimming with untapped potential, held back by a web of challenges waiting to be untangled.
The economic engine: Cassava, beyond filling hungry bellies, fuels the rural economy. Millions of households, directly or indirectly, depend on its cultivation, processing, and trade. It provides raw material for diverse industries, from garri and fufu to ethanol and bioplastics. Its export potential holds immense promise, generating valuable foreign exchange and diversifying the nation's export basket.
The export potential: Despite being the global leader in production, Nigeria's cassava export story remains largely unwritten. Value addition challenges, inconsistent quality standards, and inadequate infrastructure limit our reach to discerning international markets. Yet, the demand for cassava derivatives like high-quality cassava flour and industrial cassava starch is surging globally. This presents a golden opportunity for Nigeria to claim its rightful place as a cassava export powerhouse.
The silent struggles: But the road to unlocking cassava's true potential is paved with hurdles. Low yields due to outdated farming practices, pest and disease infestations, and limited access to improved planting materials hamper production. Post-harvest losses plague the value chain, further eroding profitability. Traditional processing methods, while rich in cultural heritage, struggle to meet the demands of modern markets for consistent quality and quantity.
The role of President Tinubu's government: This is where the current government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has a critical role to play. By harnessing cassava's potential, the government can not only strengthen the agricultural sector but also drive economic diversification, create jobs, and improve rural livelihoods.
A call to action: The time is ripe for bold and decisive action. The government can prioritize the following:
Investing in research and development: Breeding high-yielding, disease-resistant cassava varieties, and promoting best agricultural practices.
Boosting infrastructure development: Building rural roads, storage facilities, and processing centers to increase access and reduce post-harvest losses.
Facilitating access to finance: Providing affordable loans and credit schemes to farmers and processors to encourage technology adoption and value addition.
Supporting skills development: Training farmers and processors in modern farming techniques, value-added processing methods, and quality control practices.
Streamlining export regulations: Creating a seamless export environment with clear standards, certifications, and trade agreements to tap into the global market.
Embracing public-private partnerships: Fostering collaboration between government, private sector players, and research institutions to drive innovation and investment.
By prioritizing cassava and implementing these actionable steps, President Tinubu's government can unlock the vast potential of this silent giant. Cassava can then truly become Nigeria's shining jewel, not just feeding its people but propelling the nation towards a brighter agricultural and economic future.
Current Challenges: Thorns on the Cassava's Crown
While cassava reigns supreme in Nigeria, its potential for growth remains stunted by formidable challenges. Let's delve into the four thorns hindering its progress:
1. Low Productivity: Yields languish in comparison to global averages, hampered by factors like:
Outdated farming practices: Dependence on traditional methods limits yield potential.
Pest and disease infestations: Cassava mosaic virus and cassava mealybug wreak havoc on crops.
Limited access to improved planting materials: High-yielding, disease-resistant varieties remain scarce.
2. Inadequate Infrastructure: The road to prosperity is riddled with potholes:
Poor rural roads: Transportation bottlenecks hamper efficient farm-to-market operations, increasing post-harvest losses.
Limited storage facilities: Lack of proper storage leads to spoilage and significant value erosion.
Inadequate processing infrastructure: Traditional, small-scale processing methods struggle to meet demand for high-quality cassava products.
3. Limited Access to Finance: Farmers and processors are often locked out of the financial fortress:
High lending rates: Commercial banks view cassava ventures as high-risk, offering loans with prohibitive interest rates.
Lack of tailored financial products: Scarcity of financing models specific to the cassava industry leaves many stakeholders stranded.
Limited financial literacy: Many farmers lack awareness of available financing options and struggle to meet loan requirements.
4. Lack of Value Addition: Cassava remains trapped in a low-value loop:
Dominance of primary processing: Garri and fufu, while culturally significant, represent a fraction of cassava's potential value.
Limited knowledge of value-added products: Processors lack awareness and technical expertise to produce high-value cassava derivatives like cassava flour, starch, and biofuels.
Inadequate market linkages: Connecting value-added cassava products with domestic and international markets remains a significant challenge.
These challenges collectively hold the industry back, stifling its ability to contribute more meaningfully to Nigeria's economic and social development.
Government Initiatives: Seeds of Progress, Waiting to Sprout
While the challenges are substantial, the Nigerian government has sown some seeds of progress:
National Cassava Development Strategy (2019-2023): A comprehensive roadmap outlining priorities like increased productivity, value addition, and market access.
Cassava Transformation Initiative (CTI): A flagship program providing improved cassava varieties, training, and access to extension services.
Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP): Aims to improve rural roads and facilitate agricultural produce transportation.
However, challenges remain in the effective implementation and scaling-up of these initiatives:
Limited funding: Allocations often fall short of program requirements, hindering proper execution.
Bureaucratic hurdles: Delays in accessing resources and cumbersome application processes discourage participation.
Inadequate monitoring and evaluation: Lack of robust monitoring mechanisms makes it difficult to assess impact and ensure efficient resource allocation.
The existing initiatives hold promise, but need nurturing to fully bloom and bear fruit.
Potential Solutions: Cultivating a Brighter Future
President Tinubu's government now has the opportunity to till the soil and cultivate a more robust cassava industry. Here are some actionable solutions:
1. Boosting Productivity:
Scale up the distribution of improved planting materials and train farmers in best practices.
Invest in research and development of disease-resistant, high-yielding cassava varieties.
Promote integrated pest management techniques to combat cassava mosaic virus and cassava mealybug.
2. Enhancing Infrastructure:
Prioritize the construction and maintenance of rural roads to connect farms to markets efficiently.
Invest in modern storage facilities to minimize post-harvest losses and improve product quality.
Collaborate with the private sector to develop large-scale, modern processing facilities.
3. Facilitating Access to Finance:
Establish dedicated financing schemes for cassava farmers and processors with subsidized interest rates.
Develop risk-sharing mechanisms to reduce banks' perceived risk associated with cassava ventures.
Provide financial literacy training for farmers and processors to better understand and access available financing options.
4. Promoting Value Addition:
Invest in training programs for processors on producing high-value cassava derivatives like cassava flour, starch, and biofuels.
Support research and development in innovative cassava-based products for domestic and international markets.
Facilitate market linkages by connecting processors with potential buyers of value-added cassava products.
These solutions should be implemented through a collaborative approach, bringing together the government, industry stakeholders, farmers, research institutions, and development partners. By working together, they can break down the current obstacles and pave the way for a thriving cassava industry, unlocking its true potential to strengthen Nigeria's economy and improve the lives of its people.
Stay with us for more.
Addendum:
You Need To Engage With Us To Learn More:
Our company is one of the best companies in the Agro-Export business in Nigeria today. We train individuals and corporate organizations on how to do Export Business the right way; if you are interested, please contact the admin of this forum now for further details.
This is the very beginning of the New Year 2024, a year filled with promise, but events happening have presented red lights that need to be quickly addressed before the year goes far. One of the areas is: The current situation of cassava in the country. A plastic bucket of garri known as Ike now cost N1,500 in Lagos.
This is the event that gave birth to this article; an average family of four can manage this paint bucket of garri for just two days. Something must be done to tame this bear rearing its ugly head. The country and its leaders cannot sit down and be watching this horror movie without taking action, hence this piece. We will tear the problem facing agriculture in Nigeria and proffer solutions to the government and stakeholders.
Let us start with the first stanza of the article, more are coming later.
Overview of the Cassava Industry in Nigeria: A Hidden Jewel Awaiting Polishing
Nigeria's silent giant: Cassava, the unassuming tuber, is not just a staple food for over 200 million Nigerians, but also the bedrock of its economic and agricultural landscape. Contributing an estimated 20% to the GDP and accounting for almost 20% of global production, Nigeria, the world's largest cassava producer, wears its crown with quiet dignity. But beneath the surface lies a treasure chest brimming with untapped potential, held back by a web of challenges waiting to be untangled.
The economic engine: Cassava, beyond filling hungry bellies, fuels the rural economy. Millions of households, directly or indirectly, depend on its cultivation, processing, and trade. It provides raw material for diverse industries, from garri and fufu to ethanol and bioplastics. Its export potential holds immense promise, generating valuable foreign exchange and diversifying the nation's export basket.
The export potential: Despite being the global leader in production, Nigeria's cassava export story remains largely unwritten. Value addition challenges, inconsistent quality standards, and inadequate infrastructure limit our reach to discerning international markets. Yet, the demand for cassava derivatives like high-quality cassava flour and industrial cassava starch is surging globally. This presents a golden opportunity for Nigeria to claim its rightful place as a cassava export powerhouse.
The silent struggles: But the road to unlocking cassava's true potential is paved with hurdles. Low yields due to outdated farming practices, pest and disease infestations, and limited access to improved planting materials hamper production. Post-harvest losses plague the value chain, further eroding profitability. Traditional processing methods, while rich in cultural heritage, struggle to meet the demands of modern markets for consistent quality and quantity.
The role of President Tinubu's government: This is where the current government, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has a critical role to play. By harnessing cassava's potential, the government can not only strengthen the agricultural sector but also drive economic diversification, create jobs, and improve rural livelihoods.
A call to action: The time is ripe for bold and decisive action. The government can prioritize the following:
Investing in research and development: Breeding high-yielding, disease-resistant cassava varieties, and promoting best agricultural practices.
Boosting infrastructure development: Building rural roads, storage facilities, and processing centers to increase access and reduce post-harvest losses.
Facilitating access to finance: Providing affordable loans and credit schemes to farmers and processors to encourage technology adoption and value addition.
Supporting skills development: Training farmers and processors in modern farming techniques, value-added processing methods, and quality control practices.
Streamlining export regulations: Creating a seamless export environment with clear standards, certifications, and trade agreements to tap into the global market.
Embracing public-private partnerships: Fostering collaboration between government, private sector players, and research institutions to drive innovation and investment.
By prioritizing cassava and implementing these actionable steps, President Tinubu's government can unlock the vast potential of this silent giant. Cassava can then truly become Nigeria's shining jewel, not just feeding its people but propelling the nation towards a brighter agricultural and economic future.
Current Challenges: Thorns on the Cassava's Crown
While cassava reigns supreme in Nigeria, its potential for growth remains stunted by formidable challenges. Let's delve into the four thorns hindering its progress:
1. Low Productivity: Yields languish in comparison to global averages, hampered by factors like:
Outdated farming practices: Dependence on traditional methods limits yield potential.
Pest and disease infestations: Cassava mosaic virus and cassava mealybug wreak havoc on crops.
Limited access to improved planting materials: High-yielding, disease-resistant varieties remain scarce.
2. Inadequate Infrastructure: The road to prosperity is riddled with potholes:
Poor rural roads: Transportation bottlenecks hamper efficient farm-to-market operations, increasing post-harvest losses.
Limited storage facilities: Lack of proper storage leads to spoilage and significant value erosion.
Inadequate processing infrastructure: Traditional, small-scale processing methods struggle to meet demand for high-quality cassava products.
3. Limited Access to Finance: Farmers and processors are often locked out of the financial fortress:
High lending rates: Commercial banks view cassava ventures as high-risk, offering loans with prohibitive interest rates.
Lack of tailored financial products: Scarcity of financing models specific to the cassava industry leaves many stakeholders stranded.
Limited financial literacy: Many farmers lack awareness of available financing options and struggle to meet loan requirements.
4. Lack of Value Addition: Cassava remains trapped in a low-value loop:
Dominance of primary processing: Garri and fufu, while culturally significant, represent a fraction of cassava's potential value.
Limited knowledge of value-added products: Processors lack awareness and technical expertise to produce high-value cassava derivatives like cassava flour, starch, and biofuels.
Inadequate market linkages: Connecting value-added cassava products with domestic and international markets remains a significant challenge.
These challenges collectively hold the industry back, stifling its ability to contribute more meaningfully to Nigeria's economic and social development.
Government Initiatives: Seeds of Progress, Waiting to Sprout
While the challenges are substantial, the Nigerian government has sown some seeds of progress:
National Cassava Development Strategy (2019-2023): A comprehensive roadmap outlining priorities like increased productivity, value addition, and market access.
Cassava Transformation Initiative (CTI): A flagship program providing improved cassava varieties, training, and access to extension services.
Rural Access and Mobility Project (RAMP): Aims to improve rural roads and facilitate agricultural produce transportation.
However, challenges remain in the effective implementation and scaling-up of these initiatives:
Limited funding: Allocations often fall short of program requirements, hindering proper execution.
Bureaucratic hurdles: Delays in accessing resources and cumbersome application processes discourage participation.
Inadequate monitoring and evaluation: Lack of robust monitoring mechanisms makes it difficult to assess impact and ensure efficient resource allocation.
The existing initiatives hold promise, but need nurturing to fully bloom and bear fruit.
Potential Solutions: Cultivating a Brighter Future
President Tinubu's government now has the opportunity to till the soil and cultivate a more robust cassava industry. Here are some actionable solutions:
1. Boosting Productivity:
Scale up the distribution of improved planting materials and train farmers in best practices.
Invest in research and development of disease-resistant, high-yielding cassava varieties.
Promote integrated pest management techniques to combat cassava mosaic virus and cassava mealybug.
2. Enhancing Infrastructure:
Prioritize the construction and maintenance of rural roads to connect farms to markets efficiently.
Invest in modern storage facilities to minimize post-harvest losses and improve product quality.
Collaborate with the private sector to develop large-scale, modern processing facilities.
3. Facilitating Access to Finance:
Establish dedicated financing schemes for cassava farmers and processors with subsidized interest rates.
Develop risk-sharing mechanisms to reduce banks' perceived risk associated with cassava ventures.
Provide financial literacy training for farmers and processors to better understand and access available financing options.
4. Promoting Value Addition:
Invest in training programs for processors on producing high-value cassava derivatives like cassava flour, starch, and biofuels.
Support research and development in innovative cassava-based products for domestic and international markets.
Facilitate market linkages by connecting processors with potential buyers of value-added cassava products.
These solutions should be implemented through a collaborative approach, bringing together the government, industry stakeholders, farmers, research institutions, and development partners. By working together, they can break down the current obstacles and pave the way for a thriving cassava industry, unlocking its true potential to strengthen Nigeria's economy and improve the lives of its people.
Stay with us for more.
Addendum:
You Need To Engage With Us To Learn More:
Our company is one of the best companies in the Agro-Export business in Nigeria today. We train individuals and corporate organizations on how to do Export Business the right way; if you are interested, please contact the admin of this forum now for further details.
