The cassava root production and export sector in Nigeria is a topic of paramount importance to the national economy. Despite the fact that Nigeria is considered the world’s largest producer of cassava, the country’s imports of the commodity are a disturbing paradox. Indeed, in 2022, Nigeria imported about $54,200 worth of cassava, ranking it as the 121st largest importer of cassava in the world, a surprising figure for a country renowned for its abundant production of the crop.
At the recent 1st National Conference of the Cassava Industry Stakeholders Association of Nigeria (ICSAN), themed “The Golden Crop: Harnessing the Economic Potential of Cassava for National Development through Industrialization” held in Ikeja, Lagos, various speakers shed light on the economic importance of cassava to Nigeria. Professor Lateef Oladimeji Sanni, a renowned expert in the field of tropical root crops, highlighted that Nigeria exported $733,000 worth of cassava in the same year, making it the 61st largest exporter of the crop in the world.
Professor Oladimeji’s intervention highlighted the challenges and opportunities of industrializing the cassava sector in Nigeria. He emphasized that industrialization involves mass production of goods in a mechanized manufacturing system, fostering an enabling business environment, encouraging private sector leadership, stimulating innovation and facilitating the renewal of obsolete industries.
Despite its global performance, Nigeria faces several challenges to consolidate its position in the cassava sector. These challenges include inconsistent government policies, insecurity due to cattle herds devastating cassava fields, lack of infrastructure, limited access to credit and difficulties in marketing cassava products.
To address these challenges, Prof. Oladimeji highlighted the need for packaging differentiation, product diversification, regional standards and quality control, appropriate processing equipment, a viable regulatory system, capacity building and effective marketing channels. He also highlighted the crucial role of government as a catalyst, facilitator and regulator of the cassava industry, calling for concerted actions between the private sector and public authorities to ensure sustainable development of the sector.
In conclusion, cassava represents a key pillar of the Nigerian economy, providing opportunities for job creation, food security and income generation for farmers. For Nigeria to fully harness the economic potential of cassava, it is imperative to overcome current constraints and put in place robust measures to promote industrialization and competitiveness of the cassava sector in the international arena.