Agriculture
Ministry Repositions Research Institutes, Extension Services for Sustainable Food production

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development says it will continue to strengthen its agricultural research institutes and extension services to collectively deliver on its mandate.
The Minister of State for Agriculture, Mustapha Shehuri, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja.
In a statement by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, Chief Information Officer in the ministry of Agriculture, Shehuri made this known during a courtesy call on the Governor of Edo, Mr Godwin Obaseki, in Benin.
He said ‘’the new paradigm shift focuses on the Research and Development, good Extension Services, Input deliveries and provision of Integrated Rural Infrastructures to support farmers and other stakeholders.
”Shehuri said that research Institutes were to engage in farmers driven and coordinated research activities that would yield immediate benefits to farmers.
This, he said, is being supported with good Extension Services for the farmers to take maximum advantage of research output.
He pointed out that the ministry is mandated to ensure that food and nutritional security are attained by working closely with all state governments, private sectors and other relevant stakeholders.
“A total of 1,100 extension agents are trained in the first batch of the training comprising, 30 from each state of the federation and the FCT.
“The training exercise is a train-the-trainer approach and the extension agents are to step down the new innovations acquired to farmers in their communities.
“Edo is among the leading states in the production of Rice, Cassava and Maize, amongst the food crops.
“On access of tree crops, Edo is a clear leader in Oil Palm, Rubber and of recent, cocoa production in the state has stepped up to rival other states such as Ondo and Osun states,” he said.
He highlighted some of the intervention projects of the ministry in Edo that were ongoing or had been completed in the rural communities of the state meant to augment state efforts.
“These interventions include asphalting Rural Roads, Solar Powered/Motorized Boreholes and Solar Street Lights in different parts of Rural Communities in Edo State,” he said.
He noted that the Nigeria Institute of Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) and the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN) were amongst the two oldest research institutes located in Edo.
In his remarks, Gov. Obaseki said the agricultural policies of the state are in tune with Federal Government’s programme of diversification of the economy through agriculture.
He expressed the need to streamline some of the agricultural institutes in the country, which would help government to reduce running costs and curb wastage.
“There is the need for robust partnerships and collaboration with the Federal Government towards achieving food security and fast tracking the economic growth of the nation,” he said.
The minister concluded his working visit to some states in the South South Geopolitical zone by visiting the one-stop Extension Delivery Centre in Ovia South West, which was meant to provide capacity building for small holder farmers and enhance food production in the state.
He charged the benefiting communities to utilise the platform to their advantage to enable boost local production. (NAN)
Agriculture
Nigeria Misses out on $180bn Global Cassava Processing Market

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.
Agriculture
Don Pushes for Sustainable Environmental Practices

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

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.