Despite being one of Africa’s largest cassava producers, Nigeria still processes about 90 per cent of its yield locally, largely at the cottage level using rudimentary technology.
A member of the House of Representatives, representing Imo, Canice Nwachukwu, expressed this concern during the plenary session in the lower house, when he sponsored a resolution on the need for the Federal Government to ensure that cassava farmers have easy access to short-term loans as part of efforts to strengthen food security and expand the agricultural value chain.
“Most processors are women who work under poor hygienic conditions with limited access to credit and modern equipment. These challenges result in low productivity, poor packaging, and minimal profits along the value chain,” he lamented.
Nwachukwu noted that cassava cultivation has become one of Nigeria’s most organised and promising agricultural ventures, with widespread processing for food products, livestock feed and industrial applications, noting that cassava by-products, such as garri, have become major export commodities, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings.
He explained that the tuber crop, grown in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), serves multiple economic and nutritional purposes. “Beyond its use as food, cassava peels and starch derivatives are valuable in livestock feed production, pharmaceuticals, and industrial manufacturing.”
The lawmaker said easy access to short-term loans and modern processing equipment would revolutionise cassava farming and enhance farmers’ income and productivity.
“If cassava processing machines and short-term loans are provided, farmers can transform cassava into garri and fufu hygienically and efficiently. This will boost market value, improve food quality, and help farmers contribute more to national GDP,” he said
Nwachukwu added that Nigeria could achieve greater economic diversification by harnessing cassava’s export potential, using it as a viable alternative to crude oil for foreign exchange earnings.
Following extensive deliberations, the House urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to direct the Bank of Agriculture (BoA), Bank of Industry (BoI), and other financial institutions to create mechanisms that guarantee cassava farmers easy access to short-term credit facilities.
The lawmakers also called on the Federal Government to revive the Presidential Committee on the Cassava Initiative Programme (popularly known as the Composite Cassava Flour Initiative of 2002) to promote value addition, research, and farmer support.
They also mandated the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) to embark on extensive training for peasant farmers on cassava production, processing, and packaging to improve standards and competitiveness.
The Committees on Agricultural Production and Services and Legislative Compliance were directed to monitor implementation and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
