Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Angiosperm
Order Malpighlales
Family Euphorbiaceae
Sub Family Crotonoideae
Genus Manihot
Species esculenta
Nigeria is the largest producers of cassava in the world but less processor of cassava and largest importer of wheat flow in the world. The government under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan made the following policies early in the year 2012.
- The tax of importing wheat flour should be increased to 65%.
- Production of more cassava for :Food security
- 40% cassava flour input
- Export crop for government revenue
- Cassava for bread baking
- Creating employment
Below is an order of importance of Cassava Products being consumed in different zones.
Zone Order of importance (Below are the local names of cassava processed foods)
South West Gari, Lafun, Fufu/Akpu
South South Gari, Akpu
South East Gari, Fufu/Akpu
North Central Gari, Fufu/Akpu, Starch
North East Fufu/Akpu, Gari, Abacha
Cassava Usage
Domestis usage
- It is used to produce Gari
- It leaf can be used for soup
- It is used to make Fufu
- It is also used for Akpu
- It is medicinal
- For Biofuel
- Cassava flour (for bread baking, biscuit making etc.)
- It is also used in the production of starch
- It is used in the production of ethanol.
- It is used in drugs production
- Cassava serve Animal feeding:
- Cassava is use in the production of chips
- It leaf can serves as sow of protein for animals
- The step is use for further propagation
- It can serves as fire wood for the villagers instead of deforestation.
- Cassava can serves as source of income for farmers.
- It can serves as source of foreign revenue for government.
The task to be faced now is how to develop successful long-term relationships between members of the cassava supply chain (farmer to agribusiness entrepreneurs) to address and resolve the problems faced by everyone from ineffectual market, low levels of technology used and inadequate policy and regulatory systems. I therefore recommend that the Government and private sector should help in providing large-scale enterprises where operation would provide employment and the large tonnage processing with marketing opportunities. Government should also provide credit facilities and fertilizers where necessary to the farmers. Roads in rural areas should be in good condition for easy transportation. I therefore challenge us all to rise and be self employed in the area of cassava planting which can increase the standard of living of the people. The greatness of a man is not in his wealth but his contribution to the society.
References for further reading
- Brautlechet, C.D. (1953). Starch: is sources, production Uses. Reinhold, New York. Pp 60-75.
- IITA (2002). Competitiveness workshop. Opportunities for Cassava in Nigeria. Bokanga, IITA-Ibadan (2002).8-14.
- Imo State Agricultural Development Programmed (ADP). 2O03. Report on the State Agro-Processing and Market Expansion Group (SAMEG), (2003).2:39.
- Kormawa, P. and Akoroda, M.O. (2003). Cassava Supply Chain Arrangements for Industrial Utilization in Nigeria. Ibadan: IITA.
- RTEP. 1995. Roots and Tubers Expansion Programme: Formulation Report (Vol. 2), 91/95 IF AS-NIR 64. IFAD, Rome.
- Scott. G.J., Rose, G. and Ringler, C.(2000). Roots and tubers for the 21st Century: Trends, projections, and policy for developing countries. Washington, D.C. IFPRI.
- Shaib, B., Adamu A. and Bakshi, J. (1997). Nigeria National Agricultural Research Strategy Plan: 1996-2010. Ibadan, Nigeria: Intec Printers Limited.
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