The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) Dr Ernest Umakhihe on Tuesday, urged scientists and other stakeholders in the cassava value chain to improve on more cassava varieties to enhance food availability.
Umakhihe, who was represented by Dr Raji Bamidele, Deputy Director, Roots and Tuber Division, said there is need for concerted efforts by stakeholders to facilitate how genetic improvement of cassava could truly realise its potential yield level in Nigeria.
Umakhihe spoke at the Annual Meeting of NextGen Cassava Project in Abuja.
He said the interaction between the national cassava research scientists and specialists from other continents will in no doubt contribute immensely in addressing the challenges facing the cassava sub-sector to achieve the desired result.
According to him, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, will continue to drive the economic diversification agenda from crude oil to agriculture.
He said the sector has continued to gain prominence as shown in its continuous contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Between April and June, agriculture has contributed 23.2% of the total GDP, despite challenges such as flood, climate change and other natural disasters, insecurity, banditry and kidnapping, farmers/herders clashes, communal and religious crises, and most recently the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and now the Ukraine-Russian war,” he said.
“I therefore solicit for your full support to find lasting solutions to all challenges in the cassava industry in order to increase income and livelihoods of all stakeholders and the country at large,” he said.
Prof. Lateef Sanni, Head, National Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Abuja Station, described Nigeria as the home of cassava, hence the need to improve genetically on cassava varieties to boost food sufficiency.
According to him, in term of utilisation of cassava, Nigeria and Brazil are competing and that is the essence of the NextGen program.
“We will continue to partner with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and other partners and stakeholders in the cassava value chain to ensure that farmers get the best seeds.
He however, commended the Federal Government of Nigeria for hosting IITA in Abuja since 1991.
Dr Sunday Aladele, Register, National Variety Release Committee (NVRC) said the committee has registered over 706 varieties of 39 Crops with cassava inclusive, which was 54.
“Cassava is one of the most important root crops which contribute significantly to the livelihood of millions of people in Sub Saharan Africa.
“It plays important roles for the supply of carbohydrates and vitamins, which in most cases serves as substitute,” he said.
According to him, this meeting will help us envision what is in the pipeline for future cassava improvement for food security, and industrial uses.
He however, appealed to other scientists to take a cue from the modern techniques been deployed by NextGen to fast track crop improvement.
