Expert Advocates Bold Expansion In Yam, Cassava Cultivation

In recent weeks, nationwide hunger demonstrations erupted in numerous urban centers in response to the staggering surge in commodity prices, particularly food staples. The peak of the food dilemma was marked by the heartbreaking loss of seven individuals in a crowd crush in Lagos on February 25, this year, as they raced to purchase rice priced at N10,000 per 25 kg by the Nigeria Customs Service. Reports circulated of famished Nigerians raiding warehouses and assaulting trucks transporting food supplies, plundering them in Abuja, Kastina, and various other locations.

Former South East Coordinator, Nigerian Cassava Growers Association, NCGA, HRH Eze Philip Ajomuiwe, said that aggressive investment in agriculture especially crops where the country has a comparative advantage, remains the surest way for Nigeria to overcome its current economic hardship.

“It’s not in doubt that Nigeria, followed by Brazil, is the world’s largest producer of cassava. Then for Nigeria to sustain its position as the world’s leading producers of yam and cassava, the Government must equip the youths to go into mechanized farming. The era of going to farm with hoes and machetes is over. The government, both Federal and State, should immediately and responsibly provide the needed incentives and support for our youths to go into massive mechanised yam and cassava farming.

“The youths should be provided with large acres of land for cassava and yam production. Cassava is used for so many products including starch, flour, ethanol, fufu, animal feed, etc. The government should provide improved seedlings and tractors.

“If we begin massive production of yam and cassava, we will begin to export chips, flour, starch and other byproducts”. The monarch, however, noted insecurity and constant displacement of farmers by herdsmen as a major drawback to the actualisation of the dream.”

According to him, “Government should do everything to tackle insecurity and ensure the safety of our farmers. We cannot talk about food security when farmers are still squatting in IDP camps. The government should deal with the killer herdsmen displacing farmers so that farmers can return to the farm. Until the issue of insecurity and incessant raids of agrarian communities by herdsmen and bandits are tackled, every talk about food security is cosmetic. The killing of farmers is still going on in Benue and Plateau States, the major food basket of the country.”.