Building on the successes of the Cassava Mechanization and Agro-processing Project (CAMAP) that significantly raised cassava yield from 7 to 30 tons per hectare in south-west Nigeria, the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and partners are set to inaugurate a cutting-edge cassava processing plant in the region to transform cassava production and processing, thereby enhancing livelihoods and economic opportunities for local communities.
The project will be implemented by AATF, Agridrive Nigeria Ltd and Clayuca Corporation on behalf of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, through the Fund for the Promotion of Innovation in Agriculture (i4Ag), funded and commissioned by the German Federal Ministry or Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The project fosters South-South collaboration and technology transfer.
The facility, which is one of the offshoots of the Mechanization of Cassava Production and Processing project coordinated by AATF, has the objective of improving the access of cassava farmers in Nigeria to updated information, knowledge, and skills about modern sustainable technologies for cassava production, processing, and utilization that help them improve their productivity, incomes, food and nutrition security, and livelihoods by reducing post-harvest losses and adding value in post-harvest processing.
The innovations that this noble project brings seek to improve cassava cultivation by introducing a new technology to process cassava tubers entirely and enabling new markets for cassava-based animal feed.
The innovations involve mechanized cassava production and processing, farmer aggregation, and the use of digital tools to demonstrate the economic viability of providing mechanized field services and improved processing technologies to smallholder cassava farmers in Nigeria. The project will be implemented in Oyo and Ogun States of Nigeria.
The facility is situated amidst the lush landscapes of Fashola, in Oyo West Local Government Area of Oyo state. The newly established facility embodies a synergy of modern technology and traditional agricultural practices. Equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and processing techniques, the plant promises to revolutionize the cassava value chain, from harvesting to consumption.
Cassava is a widely acceptable energy food source for over 600 million consumers globally, and it’s the third largest source of food carbohydrates in tropical regions and the main staple food in many developing countries. The production of cassava in Nigeria, the leading global producer of cassava, has been on a rising trend.
Despite this growth in production and widespread processing, Nigeria has not succeeded in matching the domestic supply of processed cassava products to demand, while the export potential is greatly untapped.
Filling this gap requires strengthening the critical elements of the cassava value chain: production, processing, and marketing, through a model that boosts efficiency in processing while addressing the environmental impact associated with cassava processing. High post-harvest losses affect the food security of many people in West Africa. Post-harvest losses include food losses at the production level and at the first processing stage.
This includes quantitative and qualitative losses. Depending on the product, season, and region, these losses can amount to up to 40 percent of the harvest. Especially in precarious supply situations, this can endanger the food security of low-income population groups. In addition, the natural resources used in production, which are only available in limited quantities, are lost. In order to be able to implement technical solutions to reduce post-harvest losses, investments and a business calculation are necessary. To sustainably establish innovations, the development of profitable and gender-sensitive business models is also required.
The cassava value chain does not offer benefits to any of the key stakeholders (smallholder farmers, SMEs, food industry) and is inefficient with about 35 percent post-harvest losses. Smallholder farmers have low yields (9 tonnes/ha on average) and high production costs, with labour costs accounting for 51 percent. Cassava peels (around 40 percent of each tuber´s weight) are only used to a limited extent. Furthermore, the peels need to be further processed to make them suitable for use in animal feeding. In addition, manual cassava peeling is dangerous, low-paid, and time-consuming; mainly women and young people are involved in this work. Post-harvest losses also negatively affect the carbon dioxide (CO2) balance of agricultural value chains, as plant carbon bound in the biodegradation process is released unused into the atmosphere.
The emissions caused by agricultural production inputs such as synthetic fertilizers and fuel used to produce the lost food also represent an avoidable environmental burden.
The AATF’s initiative seeks to address these challenges head-on by introducing advanced processing methods that not only minimize losses but also add value to cassava products.
The facility’s strategic location in the South West region holds immense significance. With fertile soils and favorable climatic conditions, the area presents an ideal environment for cassava cultivation. By establishing the processing plant here, AATF aims to capitalize on the region’s agricultural potential while simultaneously creating employment opportunities and stimulating rural development.
One of the key features of the facility is its focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship. Through the adoption of eco-friendly practices and energy-efficient technologies, the plant sets a benchmark for responsible industrial development in the agricultural sector. By minimizing waste generation and optimizing resource utilization, it strives to achieve not only economic but also environmental sustainability.
Moreover, the plant serves as a hub for knowledge exchange and capacity building. Collaborating with local farmers, cooperatives, and agricultural extension services, AATF hopes to showcase the facility as one that would promote best practices in cassava farming and processing. This holistic approach ensures that the benefits of the plant trickle down to the grassroots level, empowering smallholder farmers and fostering inclusive growth.
The inauguration of the cassava processing plant marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards agricultural transformation and food security. It underscores the importance of public-private partnerships and innovation-driven initiatives in addressing the challenges facing the agricultural sector. As the plant gears up for full-scale operations, it holds the promise of not only elevating the cassava value chain but also uplifting the lives of millions of Nigerians who depend on this versatile crop for their sustenance and livelihoods.
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