Despite Nigeria being one of the world’s largest producers of cassava, the country is yet to fully tap into its global market potential, says HRH Eze Philip Ajomiwe, pioneer national president of the Nigeria Cassava Processors and Marketers Association.
Speaking at his palace in Oriendu autonomous community, Umuahia North, Abia State, Ajomiwe expressed concern over Nigeria’s inability to maximize the cassava value chain.
Nigeria Lags Behind in Cassava Processing
Ajomiwe highlighted that while Nigeria is a major cassava producer, countries like Brazil, Thailand, and Indonesia—despite producing less—have advanced far ahead in cassava processing and value addition.
“It’s worrisome that these countries, which produce far less than Nigeria, dominate the international cassava market because they’ve invested in processing and value chain development,” he said.
He explained that Nigeria’s reliance on smallholder farming and self-subsistence agriculture is a major barrier to growth.
“If we keep relying on small-scale farming, we’ll remain stagnant. We need a complete shift in our approach,” he added.
Mechanized Farming: The Way Forward
To bridge the gap and compete globally, Ajomiwe emphasized the need for large-scale mechanized farming with full government support.
“Mechanized farming is the only way forward. It will not only help us meet global demand but also tackle food insecurity, youth unemployment, and other economic challenges,” he stated.
He further urged the government to give agriculture—especially cassava farming—the same level of attention as the oil and gas sector.
“If we invest in cassava like we do in oil, Nigeria’s economy will experience a major transformation,” he noted.
Ajomiwe also pointed out the untapped economic potential of cassava, comparing it to palm trees in terms of profitability.
“From its leaves, which serve as animal feed, to the stems and roots, every part of the cassava plant has immense value,” he said.
As Nigeria looks to strengthen its agricultural sector, experts continue to call for urgent reforms to ensure the country fully capitalizes on its cassava production potential.
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