In its drive to simplify the processing of Cassava in the country, the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) has acquired a new technology for cassava processing into High Quality Flour without peeling.
The AATF Director, Programme Development and Commercialisation, Dr Emmanuel Okogbenin, who disclosed this at the just concluded 2024 annual research review and planning workshop of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Abia State, described the development as a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s effort to add value to the crop.
Dr Okogbenin described Cassava, categorised among the Root and Tuber Crops (RTCs) valued at $246b that are consumed by about three billion people in developing countries as an indispensable crop.
According to him, cassava whose yearly production is estimated at 60.44 million metric tonnes, has grown from just being a food source, to cash crop and has presently attained industrial status as raw materials source.
“Production of RTCs, which includes cassava has increased by 230 per cent since 1961, hence they have become critical to food and nutrition security, apparently underscoring AATF decision to intervene in enhancing cassava by providing the necessary technologies that would add value to the production process to benefit the farmers and the country.
Dr Okogbenin noted that the NRCRI has so far released 54 improved cassava varieties, which is in line with its mission, adding that AATF would continue to facilitate and promote partnerships on food security that would enhance the livelihood of farmers.
According to Dr Okogbenin, AATF works with technology developers and owners, seed entrepreneurs and smallholder farmers with the target of addressing their identified challenges through making available to them appropriate technologies that would create wealth for them, their families and communities.
He said he was in Abia State not for the workshop, but for collaboration with the NRCRI in its drive to improve on RTCs for which it (NRCRI) has national statutory mandate to research into their (RTCs) genetic improvement, production, processing, storage, utilisation etc.
He said some of the cassava harvests were short-lived due to their preservation or storage challenges, even as they are still prone to disease attacks and the climate change phenomenon, assuring that AATF collaboration with NRCRI would adequately address these challenges.
