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Agriculture

Women Farmers Seek Review of Kogi’s 2020 Budget

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Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello
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From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) has appealed to Kogi State Government to review the 2020 budgetary allocation to the Agriculture sector to accommodate credit and loan facilities to farmers.

Hajia Safiya Yahaya, Kogi Coordinator of SWOFON made the call during a press briefing in collaboration with Public Financing of Agriculture (PFA) Committee in Lokoja on Saturday.

The PFA is a programme of Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID) and supported by ActionAid Nigeria to address issues of budgetary allocations to the Agriculture sector.

Yahaya said that the appeal had become necessary to avert the looming food crisis arising from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the globe and hindering farming activities.

The Coordinator said the Organisation had observed that there was no provision for Commercial Agriculture  Credit Scheme adding that the time was critical as farmers could barely access Federal assistance and credit as a result of COVID -19.

“We noticed the downward review of funding of inputs to farmers in the state and we are pleading with the government to reconsider, so as to assist more farmers in this covid-19 farming season.

“We are also pleading with the government to make provisions for credit and loan schemes to assist farmers during this farming season if we must avert the looming food crisis”, she said.

Mrs Inikpi Ali, Programme Officer with PIBCID also speaking on the issue, said Nigeria was a signatory to the Maputo Declaration of 2003 with a commitment to provide at least 10 per cent of its annual budget to agriculture.

Ali however regretted that since the declaration of the 13 African countries, Nigeria and its state components had fallen short of the 10 per cent commitment with Kogi committing just 4.6 per cent to the Agriculture sector in it’s 2020 budget.

“If Agriculture is to serve as a means of diversifying the economy of Kogi State as promised in the New Direction blueprint of the state government, then allocations to the sector which has been grossly inadequate should be improved upon” she stated.

Another Speaker, Mrs Esther Audu, Assistant Public Relations Officer of SWOFON in the state said, “We all know that COVD-19 has come to destroy many things including what we are supposed to have as food reserve.

“If this is not properly addressed the hunger virus that is coming will be more than the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).”

She, therefore, called for redirection of the N80 million allocation for the training of Extension Officers at Agric Training Centre, Ochaja, to procurement of inputs, including seeds and land clearing, for accelerated food production.

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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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