By Lanre Shodimu
Cassava is an important root crop in Nigeria and it’s used producing other staple foods like Garri and many more.
Recently, Cassava farmers in Nigeria said that the country currently losing millions of naira yearly to decrease in cassava production nationwide.
This they attribute to the decline in Cassava production.
Farmers are said to have forcefully abandon their various farms due to inadequate pest control facilities, lack of indepth managerial skills, on the field training, Climate control and other factors. These factors are said to hinder cassava cultivation leading to its decline in the country.
These were their position during the training of the 6000 Cassava farmers and facility tour both at Fashola Agribusiness hub and Iseyin.
The training which was coordinated by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation and National Crops Research Institute, Updike, Abia state as well funded by Germany based Foundation, GZI.
Stakeholders in their various submissions at the meeting observed that the losses would have been mitigated with the strict adherence to the Agricultural policies of the government.
Also, they stressed the need for the collaboration of the Organised Private Sector. (OPS) in addressing the various challenges militating against the increase in Cassava yields.
The project coordinator of AATF, Samuel Ogunleye Samuel Ogunleye said the training has benefited the farmers immensely.
‘The programme was incubated in 2023 but inaugurated in 2024. The programme has taken place in Ido and Ibarapa areas with the training of over 1,200 farmers.
Today similar programme is taking place here in Iseyin with over 2,000 farmers in attendance.
‘Farmers are being trained on how to increase their output as well gets it to the market through modern technology.
‘In Iseyin, there is a modern Cassava processor machine aimed at easing the processing processes.
‘The local farmers have access to the processor at a subsidize rate.
The foundation according to report is assisting farmers at getting their products to the market.
In his own presentation, the team lead, National Root Crops Research Institute, Dr. Adeyemi Olojede said the training was designed to address the decline in the production of Cassava nationwide.
He said: ‘The training is designed for the off season in order to allow active participation of farmers.
‘Some of the challenges confronting the farmers are tabled while the solutions are proffered.
On the issue of funding, the University don blamed successive administrations in the Country for paying lip service to the sector.
According to him, the Researh Institutes in the Country have not been able to access the Budget in the past five years.
The researchers are using their personal contacts to access funds from local and international organization to carry out research.
