Nigeria can generate over N20 trillion revenue from cassava

Pastor Segun Adewumi, the National President, Nigeria
Cassava Growers Association says cassava can generate
over N20 trillion for the country, annually if adequately
utilised.
Adewumi stated this in an interview with the News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.
He said that cassava which was one of the most reliable
cash crops in the world that could also be used to
trigger industrial revolution and solve Nigeria’s
economic problems.
Adewumi lamented that the country spent over N600
billion yearly to import ethanol and starch which were
cassava derivatives that could be processed and
sourced locally.

According to him, cassava has over 20 food types and
three major industrial products like ethanol, starch and
cassava flour which are raw materials for other products.
“Government should pay more attention to cassava, it
has been neglected.
“By the time cassava is accorded the needed attention,
it will take over crude oil. We have been trying to set up
industries that will utilise cassava for the benefit of this
country,’’ he said.

Adewumi called on both the Federal and State
Governments to provide lands for farmers to boost
mechanise cassava farming.
The national president noted that modern cassava
cultivation required mechanisation to meet up with
international best practices.
He explained that making cultivable land available to
cassava farmers would improve yields and create
employment.
“When we import, we are exporting our job
opportunities. The government should encourage setting
up of industries and mechanise cassava farms.

“I do not expect the government to give us free money,
but to provide enabling environment by making loans
and lands available.
“The only area where the government can come in with
money is provision of infrastructure.
“ By the time we begin to have 500,000 hectares for
mechanisation, the country will get out of this foreign
exchange problem,’’ he explained.