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FCT Farmers Decry poor Rainfall, Want more Fertilisers

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A cross-section of farmers in Gwagwalada and Kwali in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried the paucity of rainfall and insufficient fertiliser supply.

The farmers, who said this in separate interviews on Thursday in Gwagwalada, expressed fear that inadequate rainfall could impact the crop yield negatively.

They said that crops that would most likely be affected are melon, yam and guinea corn.

Alhaji Sumaila Sani, a farmer from the Giri community in Gwagwalada Council said that inadequate rainfall would most likely affect harvest this year.

He described the present weather condition as worrisome.

Sani said that the germinated crops on his farm were beginning to shrink due to insufficient rainfall and hot weather condition in the past two weeks in the area.

“The crops need the rains to enable them to grow properly and healthy so that we can get a bountiful harvest this year.

“The yams also need steady rainfall in order to enlarge the tubers in the soil and to yield good seedlings for further planting,’’ the farmer said.

He prayed to God to send down steady rainfall to enable the crops to grow properly so he could have a bumper harvest.

Another farmer, Zaka Duza, in Kwali Council said some farmers have already started losing hope in the rainy season with some yet to complete sowing their seeds due to the poor rainfall.

Duza also said that farmers do not get government fertiliser, noting that sometimes it comes late and often inadequate.

“It is not long that I got the grass weeded and planted melon, but yet rain has not dropped ever since then.

“Some crops have germinated and the soil is already dried like we are in the dry season, which is not too good for groundnut, guinea corn and yam.

“It will make the produce from the farm look poor during harvest; that is not too good for any farmer,’’ he said.

Also, Mr Peter Samuel, another farmer said that beans do not have much problem with rainfall as they produce even with the help of the morning dew.

Samuel said that morning dew made beans produce flowers in order to bring out the seeds.

He appealed to the government not to delay the supply of fertiliser.

He added that the past few years have been bad with farmers, having to wait until the rain started before receiving fertilisers.

“The scarcity of rain will only make the leaves grow fresh and green without yielding the beans and that is not too good,’’ Samuel said.

He, however, appealed to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to make fertiliser readily available at a subsidised rate to enhance food production.

Earlier, Mr Nwokedi Fidelis, Acting Director, FCT-Agricultural Development Project at the inauguration of a four-day training for 1,110 extension agents in Gwagwalada, assured farmers of adequate fertiliser supply.

He said that with the poor rainfall in the area that the department would look at measures to make life easy for the farmers in FCT. (NAN)

Agriculture

Nigeria Misses out on $180bn Global Cassava Processing Market

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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.

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Agriculture

Don Pushes for Sustainable Environmental Practices

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A lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Wisdom Japhet has called on Nigerians to adopt practices that protect the environment and promote sustainable development.

Japhet made the call on Tuesday in Abuja on the sidelines of a training workshop on environmental standards.

The workshop was organized by the Sustainable Procurement Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement Centre of Excellence (SPESSECE ABU), in collaboration with the World Bank.

Japhet, who also serves as the Director of SPESSECE ABU, emphasised the importance of environmental awareness in developmental planning.

He said the goal of the training was to instill in participants the knowledge and capacity to integrate environmental considerations into development projects.

“The aim is to build capacity in the area of sustainable development.

“Every developmental activity must be sustainable. We are training participants to consider environmental impacts and provide consultancy for projects that may have negative consequences on the environment,” he said.

He added that certification in environmental management was becoming increasingly essential, as global standards now prioritise it.

“It’s very important for Nigerians to be both environmentally and socially aware. When you harm the environment, you harm people by extension,” Japhet stated.

He called on stakeholders in both public and private sectors to participate in the SPESSECE training and become certified.

According to him, the programme also equips participants with tools to anticipate environmental issues in projects, including planning for mitigation strategies.

“Most developmental activities have some environmental impact, and if those are not addressed, they cannot be considered sustainable. We must develop, but not at the expense of the environment,” he said.

On the issue of noise pollution, Japhet noted that everyone had a role to play in protecting the environment.

Also speaking, Dr Soala Martyns-Yellowe, an environmental practitioner, said that the SPESSECE project aimed to improve Nigeria’s capacity to manage environmental, social, and procurement standards.

He said the initiative was crucial as Nigeria strived to meet its development goals.

“The idea is to mainstream environmental and social frameworks into national systems,” he said.

Martyns-Yellowe urged relevant agencies to intensify awareness campaigns about the dangers of noise pollution and enforce existing regulations to mitigate its effects.

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Agriculture

Ondo to Partner FUTA on Wildlife Conservation

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The Ondo State Government said it will partner with the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), on the restoration and development of OSSE River Park to international standards for eco-tourists attraction.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Segun Odusanya stated this during a meeting with the Department of Forestry and Wood Technology and Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management of the institution.

Odusanya, who said that there was a need to partner national and international organisations, explained that the state government welcomed technical and logistic support to enhance the park’s restoration and conservation.

“The OSSE River Park is the state’s only conservation park which provides a habitat for wild animals, but it requires attention due to human activities,” he said.

Also, Mr Olushola Ibosiola, Director of Wildlife Conservation, Parks, and Ecotourism in the ministry, emphasised the importance of wildlife conservation and ecotourism, saying that the park covered 285.79 km²

According to him, the benefits of ecotourism include revenue generation, economic incentives, awareness, and research support.

Ibosiola, however, acknowledged the challenges of ensuring sustainable practices and balancing economic benefits with conservation goals.

Prof. Oluseyi Fabiyi and Prof. Adekunle Ogunjinmi, from the two departments in FUTA, expressed their willingness to collaborate with the government to harness the park’s potential.

The duo said the international bodies were willing to provide support for wildlife conservation and ecotourism development.

They promised to schedule a visit to assess the park’s condition and determine the level of intervention required.

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