Cassava in Nigeria now goldmine as tonnage price rises

Published 2021년 5월 23일

Tridge summary

Nigeria is experiencing a severe cassava shortage and price hike, with the situation expected to worsen into 2021 due to reduced cultivation in 2020. As the world's largest cassava producer, the country fails to meet domestic demand for cassava and its by-products, leading to scarcity and high prices of cassava and its derivatives such as garri, cassava flour, and fufu. Factors contributing to the shortage include farmer losses from glut, COVID-19 lockdowns, climate change, and increased demand. Additionally, the problem is exacerbated by insecurity, rising costs of essentials, and irregular rainfall patterns, which have diminished farm production. Experts recommend government support for farmers to increase cassava production, such as providing affordable farming equipment, improved seeds, and chemicals, to address the ongoing food scarcity and high prices in the market.

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Original content

“If urgent solution is not provided, cassava will be expensive towards the end of 2020 and early 2021. There may not be enough cassava for garri, cassava flour and other food items. Even if cassava is available, it will be very expensive. “Many farmers boycotted cassava cultivation in 2020, and this development could lead to scarcity of the produce. The reason for the boycott was due to the huge losses recorded in 2019 by many farmers as a result of glut.” This alarm was raised mid last year by the Secretary of the Lagos State Chapter of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Abimbola Fagoyinbo-Francis, following a revelation that many farmers boycotted cassava cultivation in 2020. Just as predicted, cassava has now become a goldmine, as its price increases on daily basis, despite the country’s position in the comity of cassava producing countries. Nigeria is the largest cassava producer globally, accounting for about one-fifth (21 per cent) of total production worldwide. The ...

Source: Guardian