By Nneka Nwogwugwu
Stakeholders in the Cassava industry have discussed ways to improve cassava seed system in Nigeria with a view to transforming the root crop into means of making money for farmers.
The stakeholders made these discussions at a national summit held in Abuja recently.
The national cassava seed development summit provided opportunities for case studies of successful seed entrepreneurs, identify and engage on the policy reforms required to galvanize the cassava seed sector to raise productivity and drive industrial growth projections.
The Summit also promoted impactful and economically sustainable seed models and unveiled opportunities in the cassava seed sector for private capital investment.
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike have developed varieties with yield potential of more than 30 tons per ha.
Dr Alfred Dixon, Director for Development & Delivery at IITA said, “The task is to get the varieties to farmers in an economically sustainable manner and tackle the challenge of low yield.
“In the last two years, the Building of Economically Sustainable Integrated Cassava Seed System, phase 2 (BASICS-II) has developed a seed system model for cassava that is driving the adoption of improved varieties and creating jobs and wealth for farmers.
Dr Dixon observed that beyond cassava roots, marketing of improved cassava stems is a new income earner that Nigerian farmers need to take advantage of.
According to the Executive Director of the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta, Dr Dara Akala, ‘’ in 2016, during the first National Summit on Cassava, which PIND and partners facilitated, we did share a vision for cassava becoming an engine of economic growth, targeting a gross value of $5 billion per annum, both in investments and income. Since then, cassava has been steadily gaining recognition and importance in Nigeria as an industrial crop.’’
The 2021 Summit featured technical sessions to address seed quality and quantity issues regarding policy directions, industry demands, finance, production and marketing, capacity development, productivity enhancement technologies, and legislative frameworks.
The 2021 national cassava summit is put together by IITA, BASICS-II, PIND and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) with the theme: “Catalyzing and Scaling Private Sector-Led Cassava Seed Development in Nigeria.”
Nigeria Cassava Growers Association (NCGA) was in attendance led by the National Secretary, Dr. Sylvanus Irondi, National PRO, Kaduna State Chairman, Niger, Adamawa, Rivers and Ogun State respectfully.
