…agriculture expert calls for local fabrication of cassava processing machines
Farmers have been urged to maximize the abounding opportunities available in cassava value chain to aid agricultural productivity, increase food production, food security, creation of employment and to adopt efficient technology in massive cassava production to compete favorably in the international market and create wealth.
This was made known by the Project Manager, IITA Ibadan, Prof. Lateef Sanni during an interactive session on Business Modelling for Cassava Value Chain organized by Abeokuta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABEOCCIMA) in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
Sanni pointed out that Nigeria despite being the world’s largest producer of cassava compared to other countries should change approach so as to ensure greater yield based on the varieties of cassava stem planted.
While clamoring for continuous training for farmers, Prof. Sanni stressed that training for farmers in Good Agricultural Practice will increase yields in excess of 25% target in response to market opportunities as Cassava Productivity will guarantee higher yield and more incomes.
He urged farmers to place high premium on cassava value chain because of its enormous economic potentials through the diverse secondary products it offers such as; garri, lafun (cassava powder), fufu, starch, bread, cake, candies, ice cream, beverages, fuel ethanol, animal feed and a host of others.
He stated that farmers should always plant quality cassava stems, take cautions from replanting own seeds from the previous cassava crop year after year and ensure access to adequate information on how to get quality stems so as to ensure high yield from their crops for more income.
He further called on agricultural scientists, engineers and local fabricators to make haste in transforming Nigeria’s agriculture through the development of technologies that are appropriate and acceptable to majority of farmers so as to enhance job satisfaction and increase income base of the farmers.
On his part, the 1st Deputy President of ABEOCCIMA, Otunba A. Babs Adesanya said the purpose of the interactive session was to ensure the yield gap in cassava production is addressed through enlightenment and adoption of technologies as well as innovation, coupled with youth empowerment to increase productivity and income so as to offer more economic opportunities to farmers in the cassava value chain.
He urged participants to intensify efforts at increasing productivity in order to attract investors into the industry.
