Pastor Segun Adewumi, former President of the National Cassava Growers Association (NCGA), has highlighted the Potential for Nigeria to save N1 trillion Annually from its Wheat Flour Import Bill by Incorporating 20% Cassava Flour in Bread production.
Adewumi also pointed out that the Country spent Billions on Importing Cassava derivatives, including Enhancers, Industrial starch, biofuel, and sweeteners in 2014, emphasizing that Local Production of these Items could save up to N3 trillion yearly.
Adewumi made these Assertions during a roundtable Dialogue Organized by the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN) in Abuja.
He emphasized Nigeria’s Status as the World’s largest Cassava Producer and suggested that tapping into the full potential of this Root Crop could spark a significant Industrial revolution, potentially leading to viable Cassava Industries in every Nigerian Village.
He elaborated, “For Instance, in 2014, Bread Bakers in Nigeria used 16,600 Metric tonnes of Flour daily for Bread Production.
Presently, white Wheat Flour costs around N650,000.
If we use about 6,059,000 Metric tonnes of Flour per year, the total cost comes to N3.9 trillion.
Nigeria is currently the second highest Global Importer of Wheat, despite its vast Land and skilled Workforce.”
Adewumi proposed that Bread could Incorporate 40% Cassava Flour, which would contribute Positively to Health.
He urged the Consideration of including 20% Cassava flour to save N1 trillion annually from Import Bills, in addition to creating Employment Opportunities for Local Farmers, service providers, and both skilled and unskilled labor in local Factories.
He lamented the high Cost of Cassava production in Nigeria, which Impedes its Competitiveness in the international Market.
Adewumi attributed this to the Primitive State of Agriculture in Nigeria, primarily manual cultivation, causing the Cost of Production to be around $400 per Tonne while Global Market prices hover around $200 per Tonne.
To advance the Cassava value chain, Adewumi called for the Establishment of a Cassava Development Commission.
He suggested this Commission would oversee two key programs: one focused on Cassava for Food Security and the other on Cassava for Industrial usage, thus achieving a Transformational agenda in the Cassava Sector.
