By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The Federal Government has stated that Nigeria is now the largest producer of cassava in the world.
The Director of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Karima Babangida made this known at a workshop on cassava production organised by the ministry and tagged “Capacity Building of Farmers to Address Yield Gap in Cassava Production.’’
Babangida, who was represented by Regional Director, North East, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Umar Mohamed, said that Nigeria “is still the world’s leading producer of cassava, compared to others like Thailand.’’
She said that Nigeria was leading in spite of the low yield which is below 10 tonnes per hectare.
She explained that the aim of the workshop was to ensure that the yield gap in cassava production was addressed through dissemination and adoption of improved technologies, as well as innovations by smallholders.
According to her, the country has the potential to produce 40 tonnes per hectare but blamed the low yield on some challenges being faced by farmers in most parts of the country.
Babangida said that the workshop would not only encourage youth and gender empowerment but would increase productivity and income, as well create more economic opportunities for farmers in the cassava value chain.
She noted that weed management and best practices tools developed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has yielded results through increase in production from its earlier 10 tonnes to 20 tonnes per hectare.
She assured farmers of continued support by the government to enable them to achieve increased productivity, farmer’s income, accelerated food supply, make farming profitable, available and affordable in price to the populace.
Dr Umar Mohamed, Regional Director, North East Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, described the workshop as “fantastic happenings in cassava production.’’
Mohammed, who is represented by Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in Bauchi, Mohammed Yusuf, urged the participants to disseminate the knowledge acquired to other farmers in the region.
