The Federal Government, through the Kano State Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) Programme in partnership with IFAD, has empowered 9,870 rice farmers in Kano with climate-resilient inputs and modern rice production technologies.

This was contained in a statement issued by the SAPZ Knowledge Management and Communication Officer, Rabi Mustapha.

The State Project Coordinator, Aminu Iliyasu, disclosed this on Sunday during the Farmers Field Day at Chiromawa Garin Babba Cluster in Garun Malam Local Government Area.

He said the exercise was organised to expose the farmers to Science-based and practical solutions capable of enhancing yields, improving food security, and boosting rural livelihoods.

Iliyasu described the field day as a celebration of knowledge, innovation and the resilience of smallholder farmers.

He explained that the SAPZ initiative in Kano aimed to expand access to improved technologies, strengthen extension services, reduce post-harvest losses and create market opportunities for rural farmers.

“These innovations are not theoretical. They are practical solutions that farmers can adopt immediately to raise productivity and increase income,” he said, while commending the support of local authorities.

Mustapha said the inputs distributed to 9,870 farmers included FARO 44 improved seeds, Urea and NPK fertilizers, and insecticides, targeting beneficiaries in Garun Malam, Gezawa, Bichi and Bagwai LGAs during the 2025 wet season.

She added that experts trained farmers on soil selection, seed dressing, nursery establishment, land preparation, and timely transplanting at proper spacing.

“They also covered fertilizer management, weed control, Integrated Pest Management and water regulation to boost rice yields.

“The training emphasised harvesting at optimal maturity, drying paddy to safe moisture levels, and fumigation using phostoxin to prevent storage losses,” she stated.

A beneficiary, Salamatu Ali, said the intervention had positioned Kano farmers to boost yields, withstand climate pressures and increase household incomes.

Another farmer, Huwaila Ibrahim, said the programme transformed her approach to rice production.

“Before, we planted without checking whether the land was suitable.

“Now, we first assess the soil to ensure it matches the seed variety. This season, we cultivated FARO 44,” she said.

Ibrahim added that her output increased from 20–25 bags per acre to about 40 bags after adopting the improved technologies.

The Federal Government has launched the National Agricultural Sample Survey (NASS) 2023 report, towards developing data-driven policies to achieve food security and economic diversification.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, made this known at the launch of “Disseminating the National Agricultural Sample Survey (NASS) 2023 report” on Tuesday in Abuja.

“As a Ministry, we will apply these findings across the core levers of agricultural transformation, ensuring that our programmes remain data-driven, impact-focused and aligned with the aspirations of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“A nation that measures well governs well. And food security begins with information security.

“This report should be seen as a practical tool for decision-making, one that guides policy choices, informs investment priorities and accelerates the reforms required across Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

“In a country of more than 232 million people, the strength of our food system depends on the quality of the data that guides national decisions,” Kyari said.

The minister explained that without credible evidence, interventions risk being misdirected and investments may fail to reach the areas of highest need.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Food and Agriculture of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, National Bureau of Statistics and the World Bank launched “Disseminating the National Agricultural Sample Survey NASS the 2023 report”.

He stated that the National Agricultural Sample Survey provides reliable, sector-wide data that helps the agriculture sector track production, understand emerging trends, and guide policy decisions.

Kyari added that the launch and dissemination of the National Agricultural Sample Survey 2023 represents an important step in ensuring that our national choices are informed, targeted, and grounded firmly in evidence.

“This report therefore represents more than statistical outputs; it reflects our commitment to transparency, disciplined planning, and the sustainable development of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

“The findings of the National Agricultural Sample Survey 2023 present a clear and compelling picture of national production.

“The data we are presenting today is central to that mandate because it gives us the precision required to target interventions, close gaps, and drive the reforms needed to secure our nation’s food system.

“These data points also remind us that every figure reflects real activity across the country, from production to processing to marketing.

“With these digital foundations in place, insights from the NASS move from static data to operational intelligence, enabling a more transparent, efficient and connected agricultural system,” the Minister said.

The Director-General FAO representative in Nigeria, Dr. Hussein Gadain, said the NASS 2023 Report is not just a presentation of data but a celebration of collaboration, commitment, and progress towards building a stronger, more resilient agricultural sector in Nigeria.

Similarly, Adeyemi Adeniran Statistician General of National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said that the NASS Report 2023 provides critical information on crop production, livestock, aquaculture, labour amongst all.

Adeniran who was represented by David Babalola an official of NBS said that data is essential for shaping effective policies and driving sustainable growth.

According to him, the survey also reaffirms the national bioscience commitment to upholding global best practices in data production through improved methodologies, enhanced field operations, rigorous quality data assurance processes and development of modern digital tools, in Nigeria.

Henry Karshima, Assistant Chief Forest Officer in the Ministry of Environment said that the role of agriculture cannot be overemphasised in food security especially with the launch of the survey.

Mr Abdulhameed Umar National Project Coordinator for Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes expressed satisfaction with the project in the line of restoring land degradation through data collection.

On his part, Asad Alam, the Senior Economist and Project leader 50×2030 Initiative World Bank Nigeria Development Data Group, Economic Division commended the initiative of making data a priority in agricultural activities to ensure food security.

By Torough David , Abuja

With a current production capacity of 62.69 million and holding the position of the largest producer of cassava in the world, Nigeria is missing out of the $180 billion global cassava processing market.

The country’s cassava value chain, although hampered by local consumption, has the potential to drive economic growth and attract foreign investments.

Stakeholders in the value chain say that with improved yield, provision of credits for farmers and accessibility of lands, the country could tap into the $180 billion processed market.

The conversion of fermented cassava into high-quality products—such as High-Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF), cassava starch, bioethanol, and sweeteners (glucose and sorbitol) — could aid in cushioning forex scarcity in Nigeria.

“Nigeria, as the world’s largest cassava producer, generates approximately 18 percent of global cassava output but captures merely 2 percent of the crop’s vast $180 billion global processing market,” said Olayinka David-West, dean of Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University.

David-West reiterated that despite cassava’s substantial production scale—feeding millions daily through staple foods like Garri and fufu and sustaining the livelihoods of approximately 14 million smallholder farmers—over 90 percent of Nigeria’s cassava harvest remains relegated to low-value and food-grade uses.

“This significantly constrains farmer incomes and limits broader economic impact,” she added.

Escalating global demand for industrial cassava products offers Nigeria a significant market opportunity to expand beyond traditional uses, she says.

According to the International Trade Centre, global cassava derivative exports have grown over 20 percent annually in recent years, underscoring robust international demand for industrial cassava products.

Meanwhile, Olayinka Majekodunmi, partner at Boston Consulting Group, emphasised that cassava in its HQCF form serves as a strategic alternative to imported wheat flour, essential for Nigeria’s bakery and snack sectors.

This is imperative as Nigeria imports 98 percent of its wheat needs, amounting to an average of $2 billion annually.

“HQCF presents substantial import substitution potential, potentially unlocking a $600 million market. Currently, utilisation remains low at 5 percent, yet scaling to 20 percent is achievable, given existing facilities are underutilised by approximately 50 percent,” he said.

On the investment opportunities in cassava starch, he explained that it is commonly used in paper, textile and pharmaceutical industries.

“Domestic production significantly lags demand, which grows at approximately 5.2 percent annually, representing a substantial market gap. Capturing this gap could realistically secure an additional $485 million, bolstering local manufacturing capabilities.”

But to conveniently tap into this pool of wealth, stakeholders argue that production must first of all be ramped up.

How production can be bolstered

Although current cassava yields average 6 tons per hectare compared to a global benchmark of 25 tons per hectare. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that bridging this yield gap could boost production by an additional 11 million metric tons.

“Key investments are needed in superior, disease-resistant varieties, mechanization, agronomic training, and post-harvest handling improvements to reduce losses,” David-West said.

She said cassava processing costs in Nigeria remain high, often quadrupling in off-grid areas due to unreliable power supply.

Hence, most processing facilities operate 50 percent below capacity, further lowering efficiency.

According to her, this calls for strategic investments in modern processing technologies, renewable energy infrastructure, and agro-industrial clusters.

Echoing her words, Majekodunmi said access to affordable finance remains a major challenge. He urged the development of tailored financial instruments such as patient capital and concessional loans, coupled with securing long-term off-take agreements, which will mitigate risks.

Stakeholders believe that the country has what it takes to drive value addition in the sector, but it requires intentional efforts to bolster yield per hectare and production capacity.

Key industrial derivatives

Among cassava derivatives, four key products present immediate high-growth opportunities, collectively representing a market of approximately $2 billion:

High-Quality Cassava Flour

HQCF serves as a strategic alternative to imported wheat flour, essential for Nigeria’s bakery and snack sectors.

With Nigeria importing roughly 98 percent of its wheat consumption—valued at approximately $2 billion annually—HQCF presents substantial import substitution potential, potentially unlocking a $600 million market.

Currently, utilization remains low at 5 percent, yet scaling to 20 percent is achievable, given existing facilities are underutilized by approximately 50 percent.

Industrial starch: Widely used in sectors such as paper, textiles, pharmaceuticals, adhesives, and food additives, local cassava starch offers significant competitive advantages.

Domestic production significantly lags demand, which grows at approximately 5.2 percent annually, representing a substantial market gap.

Capturing this gap could realistically secure an additional $485 million, bolstering local manufacturing capabilities.

Sweeteners (Glucose and Sorbitol)

Nigeria’s rapidly growing sweetener market (18 percent annual growth) remains predominantly import-dependent (95 percent imported), driving up costs for manufacturers.

Cassava-based sweeteners offer a cost-effective alternative, priced considerably lower than imported sucrose.

Companies such as Coca-Cola have indicated strong interest in sourcing locally, underscoring this segment’s immediate scalability and representing a clear $500 million market opportunity.

Bioethanol

Nigeria imports about 26 percent of its ethanol for beverages, pharmaceuticals, and fuel blending, exposing the economy to price volatility.

Cassava-based bioethanol offers significant economic advantages, costing approximately $0.06 per liter less than imported ethanol.

Given Nigeria’s existing ethanol market valued at $420 million, substantial expansion opportunities exist for investors to scale local production.