The Nigeria Cassava Growers Association has charged the Federal Government to re-double its effort in cassava, stressing that Nigeria stands the chance of generating about N8.5trn annually from the product. Speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day community business enhancement initiative tagged, “Cassava Cluster Scheme”, organised by the United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited, an associate of Lafarge Africa Plc., Chairman of NCGA in Cross River State, Mr. Augustine Oqua, said cassava had the potential of generating between N5 trillion to N8.5 trillion annually for Nigeria if its production was maximised.
He called for a concrete step towards diversifying the nation’s economy from the monolithic dependence on oil revenue, Oqua stated that as the largest producer of cassava globally, Nigeria had over 1.25 million cassava farmers that could be redirected to help generate the revenue adding that apart from the cassava flour, ethanol could be extracted from cassava for the production of electricity.
“Cassava is more available than any other crop in Nigeria. It can generate between N5 trillion and N8.5 trillion annually which is far above the budget of the country. Cassava alone can transform Nigeria and even Cross River State which is the largest producer in the country.
We can use it to replace crude oil. “Today, UniCem is spending millions of naira to buy gas to run electricity, but ethanol, could be got from cassava as a bi-product and used to generate electricity. Our major problem is the acquisition of land for the production of cassava and that is why we need government intervention.
” While harping on the need to diversify the nation’s economy, the Head, Public Affairs, Lafarge Africa Plc., Mr. Ayi Ita-Ayi, averred that it had become imperative to look at other areas as means of livelihood. “The essence of this workshop is to ensure that we have alternative means of livelihood. At the moment, we are having issues with the economy because of dwindling oil revenue. Our economy is oil-based and we are thinking that globally and locally there is a threat.
“That is why we have put together this stakeholder’s workshop involving UniCem, host communities in three local government areas of Cross River State, to draw support from government on agriculture intervention schemes.
This way, we are providing alternative for government and the people,” Ita-Ayi said. While declaring the workshop open, the state Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Rosemary Archibong, called for a deliberate move to shift focus from oil to the agricultural sector as a viable alternative to revenue generation. Archibong, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Freedom Ajom, said the workshop could not have come at a better time than now when the change mantra of President Muhammadu Buhari was to shift focus to the agricultural sector.