In the past weeks, hunger protests were held in many cities across the country as the residents reacted to the astronomical increase in the prices of commodities, especially food items. The climax of the food crisis was the tragic death of seven persons in a stampede in Lagos on February 25 this year while rushing to buy rice offered for sale at N10,000 per 25 kg bag by the Nigeria Customs Service. News also spread about hungry Nigerians breaking warehouses and attacking trucks conveying foodstuffs and looting them in Abuja, Katsina and some other places.
Vanguard columnist, Dr Dele Sobowale, a renowned economist in his article titled “Rice”, published last Monday, March 4 2024 described the tragedy as indisputable proof of the depth of destitution in Nigeria today and how grossly mistaken we were to have allowed rice which was not indigenous to us and on which we suffer serious competitive disadvantage to dominate our lives. According to him, “We were not rice eaters at the dawn of our history. We consumed a wide variety of food items which provided more calories than rice per kilogramme.
Food first should be the policy of every government. That also means being very careful in selecting the food items governments will promote. Rice has become our dominant source of carbohydrates and is threatening the stability of the government on account of our mental and physical laziness. Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava (60m tonnes) and also the largest producer of yams (70-75% of global output). We have missed the road in our march towards food security. We have abandoned the crops on which we have a competitive advantage”.
Farmers, agriculturists, and other citizens have therefore asked the Federal, State, and Local Governments to, as a matter of priority, endow Nigerians with more resources and farm inputs to go into massive production of all basic food, including cassava and yam, to tackle looming food shortage, and export to earn foreign revenue. They argued that the country should not focus only on rice as the soil in some sections of the country is good for certain crops.
Dr Sobowale right, time to dominate global yam, cassava markets —Benue AFAN
The Benue State Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Saaku Aondongu argued that it is time for Nigeria to place more emphasis on yam and cassava production to fully dominate the international market. He pointed out that it would be difficult to compete favourably with the dominant countries in rice production, stressing that the attention and funding channelled towards rice production in the country should be redirected to yam and cassava production given the comparative advantage the country enjoys in the production of the produce that has now turned cash crops.
He said: “Before now rice was eaten sparingly. It was not a staple food and almost all communities went for yam, maize, millet and cassava. So, if we are now encouraging the massive production of yam and cassava it is because they have been staple food for us and we can produce them in massive quantities to provide for our food need and export as well. In the past, anybody you gave rice to eat would eat it but preferred that you brought a staple food for him to eat and that food was either pounded yam, dry yam food, otherwise called amala, cassava food also known as Akpu, millet food and others. Rice was more of a Sunday, Sunday food and it was eaten mostly in urban areas and not in the rural communities.
So we must move to take that market globally because we produce yam and cassava massively and with a little more push the global market would be ours to dominate. Part of the funds channelled towards rice production should also be channelled towards yam and cassava production so that we can take over the global market since it has become obvious that we cannot match the established powers in rice production. I am not saying we should stop investing in rice production, no. But we can take full advantage of the yam and cassava markets where we enjoy dominance and assert our dominance. Our people also eat more of yam when we have it either pounded or just boiled or roasted. It is high time we forgot rice and concentrated on yam and cassava production. These are exportable items that will earn us income.
It is time we pay attention to those crops and exploit the market to the fullest since we have a comparative advantage. So, the position of Dr. Dele Sobowale is correct and we queue behind his position. It is time for us to think outside the box and take full dominance of the global yam and cassava market which are produced in commercial quantities in Benue state.”
Nigeria should embark on aggressive yam, cassava production —Abia monarch
Former South East Coordinator, Nigerian Cassava Growers Association, NCGA, and the traditional ruler of Oriendu Autonomous Community, Umuahia North Local Government Area, of Abia State, HRH Eze Philip Ajomuiwe, has also thrown his weight behind the call by renowned Economist, Dr Dele Sobowale, for Nigeria to better embark on massive production of yam and cassava where it already has the comparative advantage as the world’s largest producers.
The monarch who is also the First National Deputy President of Nigeria Cassava Processors and Marketers Association, told Vanguard in Umuahia, that aggressive investment in agriculture especially crops where the country has a comparative advantage, remains the surest way for Nigeria to overcome its current economic hardship.
“It’s not in doubt that Nigeria, followed by Brazil, is the world’s largest producer of cassava. Then for Nigeria to sustain its position as the world’s leading producers of yam and cassava, the Government must equip the youths to go into mechanized farming. The era of going to farm with hoes and machetes is over. The government, both Federal and State, should immediately and responsibly provide the needed incentives and support for our youths to go into massive mechanised yam and cassava farming.
The youths should be provided with large acres of land for cassava and yam production. Cassava is used for so many products including starch, flour, ethanol, fufu, animal feed, etc. The government should provide improved seedlings and tractors.
If we begin massive production of yam and cassava, we will begin to export chips, flour, starch and other byproducts”. The monarch, however, noted insecurity and constant displacement of farmers by herdsmen as a major drawback to the actualisation of the dream.
According to him, “Government should do everything to tackle insecurity and ensure the safety of our farmers. We cannot talk about food security when farmers are still squatting in IDP camps. The government should deal with the killer herdsmen displacing farmers so that farmers can return to the farm. Until the issue of insecurity and incessant raids of agrarian communities by herdsmen and bandits are tackled, every talk about food security is cosmetic. The killing of farmers is still going on in Benue and Plateau States, the major food basket of the country.”.
FG should invest fuel subsidy on agriculture to stabilize the economy —AFAN BoT chair
In his contribution, the Board of Trustees, BoT, Chairman, representing South East in the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, Chief Israel Amanze, said efforts should be on the revival of agriculture generally as a survival strategy, and not just on yam and cassava. The former Commissioner for Agriculture, Abia State, argued that Nigeria also has a comparative advantage in the production of other crops like maize, wheat and even rice “although what is lacking is a competitive advantage”.
“Dr Sobowale is a renowned Economist but not an Agriculturist. I agree with him if his call is for Nigeria to concentrate on agriculture as a survival strategy. But I disagree with him if he wants yam and cassava to be singled out because Nigeria also has a comparative advantage in some other crops including maize, wheat and rice.
The Federal Government should concentrate on reviving the economy through Agriculture. We need to produce all the staple foods to boost internal food security. Not every state in Nigeria has a comparative advantage in producing yam although many have in cassava. Other crops are well produced in some other states. So, if the concentration is on yam and cassava alone, it then means we will be depending on importation for our rice. This will further worsen the foreign exchange rate. “If the federal government wants a quick way out of the present hardship, it should quickly re-invest the fuel subsidy fund in agriculture. That’s the only way to stabilize the economy”.
Cassava, yam can revolutionize Nigeria’s agriculture – Odi, Bayelsa retiree
A retiree from the Bayelsa State civil service, Chris Odi, said: “Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava, and yam in the world, so it makes more economic sense to concentrate on cassava, and yam production, rather than rice production where countries like China and India have a comparative advantage. It is ironic that despite being the largest producer of cassava globally, we are not among the biggest exporters of the crop. For instance, we consume 90 per cent of the country’s cassava production locally; nine per cent goes for industrial purposes; with just one per cent for export. The same applies to yam. We are the largest producer, but not the largest exporter.
There are reasons the country is not cashing in on the megabucks cassava and yam production offer. Our farming methods are archaic. The government needs to encourage farmers of yam and cassava (as well as other crops) to practice mechanized farming, using ploughs, planters, harvesters, and other machinery to increase yield per hectare. There has to be improved storage facilities to reduce waste.
Nigeria needs to strengthen the capacity of farmers so they can deliver high-quality produce. The government needs to support farmers by making herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers available to farmers at reduced cost. “The government also needs to invest in constructing good roads to reduce time spent evacuating the produce from the farms as well as investing in the cassava value chain — where high-quality cassava flour, starch, ethanol and other sub-products of cassava that can be used as animal feedstock — can be obtained from cassava.
“Cassava and yam have the potential to revolutionize agriculture in the country and earn huge foreign exchange if the right things are done. For Nigeria to make it big in the export market, the government must take the production, processing, marketing of cassava, and yam to the next level.”
Prioritize cassava – Ese, farmer – Bayelsa
A farmer, and media practitioner in Bayelsa State, Mr. Samuel Ese, said: “There is an urgent need for Nigeria to prioritize the planting of cassava because of the comparative advantage over rice. From cassava, we have derivatives such as garri, fufu, starch, flour, and others, which are relatively cheaper in the market than rice. Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava, so the federal, state, and local governments must encourage more farmers to engage in cassava production for greater tonnage for both export and domestic consumption.”
Go into cassava, yam production, but do not forsake rice – Okpolua, Delta agriculturist
An agricultural policy maker in Delta State, Mr. Benedict Okpolua said: “The truth is that going into cassava and yam production does not mean we should quit rice production. Going into large-scale cassava and yam production will no doubt boost the economy. Besides, not everybody knows about rice production. The production of rice is even more cumbersome and more expensive than the production of cassava and yam.
“If more people are encouraged to go into production of cassava and yam, we will have a lot to eat and export. I will call on the government to encourage the farmers. So many people are willing and able to go into farming but they do not have the capital to start. “If the government can encourage people to go into farming by giving them fertilizers, and farm inputs before you know it, the economy will start booming.”
Go all out for rice, yam, cassava – Ekpenyong, farmer\ex-Dep Gov, A-Ibom
A farmer and former deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Chris Ekpenyong said: “Government should embark on the production of all cassava, yam, rice and others. There is none that Nigeria cannot produce; we are blessed with abundant fertile land and human resources. We can produce cassava in the South-East, South-South, and South-West, and we can grow yam in the North-Central – Benue, Taraba, and Niger. The government should, as a matter of urgency, facilitate the production of all staple food across the country. What the government should do now is to empower Nigerians, give people more resources to go into farming, and then provide security. “In the North, we have bandits and terrorists who attack farmers in their farms; in the South, and Middle Belt, the government should put an end to the lingering farmers/herders clash. We should look at how to produce enough for our local consumption. When we move from a consumption to a producer-nation, we will not suffer food insufficiency and inflation like we are experiencing today.”
Herdsmen frustrating farmers in Delta – Adima, farmer
A farmer and political activist in Delta State, Mr. Blessing Adima said: “Farmers should be encouraged to go into large-scale cassava and yam farming, and there will be enough for Nigeria and the export market. Nigerians should be encouraged in that direction, but then we have a hurdle to cross. Some Nigerians would not want to venture into large-scale cassava and yam farming because herdsmen have occupied a large portion of their farmlands. So, security is a challenge for farmers. Many people are beginning to know the demand for this commodity, but insecurity is a huge concern. In my local government, Ethiope West in Delta State, community people can no longer go to farm because they are scared of encountering herders, who uproot their cassava and give it to their cattle to eat. “This is part of the reason for the food shortage that we have in Nigeria. The best way to encourage farmers is to tackle the herdsmen and insecurity. With that, we can produce a lot.”
We can produce rice and cassava – Morris, environmentalist, Bayelsa
Bayelsa State-based environmentalist, Comrade Alagoa Morris, advocated the cultivation of both rice and cassava. He said, “Nigeria, with the political will to support rice production could do far better than the current statistics. We can grow rice in the North, South, East, and West of Nigeria. “It is the unfortunate reliance on crude oil and gas that has brought Nigeria to her knees in terms of food production. Otherwise, the economy and currency were better when agriculture was the mainstay of this country. With the correct leadership, political will, and orientation of Nigerians, things would be better. Nigeria can still maintain the leading position in cassava and yam production and still step up rice production to enviable heights. “But, unless the nagging issue of insecurity is effectively tackled, food security will continue to be a serious problem for Nigeria.”
Don’t concentrate on one commodity —Prof Efisue, UNIPORT don
An Associate Professor of Plant Breeding, and a Geneticist in the Department of Crops, and Soil Science, Faculty of Faculty, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Prof. Andrew Efisue, however, cautioned that Nigeria should not produce one commodity. “It is not good that Nigeria should concentrate on the production of one commodity because when we concentrate on the production of one commodity, with this climate change, you can be trapped. “In this situation, some crops do not thrive very well in some areas, while some do in this climate change experience. Every household has its taste. Not every household feeds on rice, some feed on yam or even garri. “If you go to Benue State, they produce more of yam; it is not advantageous for the country to concentrate on one commodity.”
Too much talk, no action —Ambakaderimo, founder, FTZPDI
The Founder and Executive Director, Free Trade Zone Promoters and Development Initiative, FTZPDI, Joseph Ambakaderimo, said, “The largest rice farm in West Africa is in Bayelsa State established by the Shehu Shagari government back then, but was inexplicably abandoned and is now covered with grass, hence, that missing link in abundance food production that could have also fetched the country some foreign earnings.”It is high time we began to take deliberate actions and stop talking rhetoric. The north has enough expanse of land to produce cassava, yam, rice and other food crops. We all know the insecurity problem in this country has driven farmers out of the farm. “Many years ago, we had different food policies and programs such as the Green Revolution, Back to Farm, Operation Feed the Nation and School to Land what has happened to these laudable programs today? For how long shall we continue to talk and talk without a corresponding action? At this point of our economic reality, we want both the state and federal governments to give support to our efforts because we are deliberately committed to ensuring that there is food sufficiency, not just in Nigeria, but in other parts of Africa.”
Concentrate on cassava — Mac-Eteli, AFAN
A former member of the national executive of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, Mr. Confidence Mac-Eteli, said: “Nigeria should concentrate on cassava production because of the comparative advantage and value chain. Nigeria is better off by concentrating on massive cassava production, because with cassava we can get starch and other value chain.”
Yam, cassava need govt’s intervention to meet demands – AFAN President
The National President, All Farmers Association, Arc Kabir Ibrahim, hinted that the group have been lobbying for the government’s intervention to ramp up yam and cassava output nationwide.
He stated: “We have been pressing for government’s intervention to look at the staples in the six geopolitical zones; yam is food for the South-East, North-Central, South-West, and even South-South; North-West eat a lot of yam and cassava but not necessarily are the staples there, it is corn that is staple.
“We should emphasize on those things that are the most accepted staples in Nigeria. Yam and Cassava for most of the southern region are recommended for improvement or intervention because they are the highest staples in those regions.
“In the North, you can start talking about grains like maize, rice, wheat, and others. But it is good for people to understand that those staples are very important for each geopolitical zone in this country.
“It is very important to upscale rice, yam and cassava production for people to have choice, and that also means there is food security.”
Food security, affordability demand political will – Women farmers
The National President, Small-scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria, SWOFON, Fatima Gunmi, said: “There must be a political will to drive the production of rice to reduce its price, and also there should be the political will for the massive cultivation of cassava and yam, which already we are deeply into their production.
“And I don’t think it is a bad idea to focus on yam and cassava production alongside rice. The issue at stake is food security, especially affordability.
“The reason why I mentioned the need for the increase in rice as well as cassava and yam is because they are produced in different parts of the country
“The increased production of cassava and yam is no doubt a good idea, and after all, it is one of the crops we produce with comparative advantage. The scarcity of another alternative is what causes the hike in the price of rice.
“We need to harness both to improve food security, and I am pleased to inform you that our members from the South and East produce cassava and yam, and so, it is a welcome development for us.”
Farm size should reflect our population size —Expert
An agribusiness expert and Chief Executive Officer, EA Daniels Farm, Engr Daniel Ijeh, said, “While yams and rice are both starchy foods, they have different flavors, textures, and nutritional profiles, making them unique in their own ways.
“Certainly, rice is a grain that is a staple food for over half of the world’s population. It is a good source of carbohydrates and energy.
“Yam and cassava, on the other hand, are tubers. They are high in fiber, potassium, and vitamins A and C.
“In terms of the shameful production quantity of our nation when we have vast arable land that spans from South to North and a lot of water to support the production, the agronomic expertise should be cultivated and value chain issues addressed. Land tenure needs to be revisited to optimise production.
“A country of over 220 million people cannot depend on smallholder farmers to be food secure. Yield per hectare and farm size should reflect our population size.
“Politics shouldn’t be used to create inefficiency and starvation, but to create economic development and growth.”
Rice production needs to increase to drive down prices —POFAN
The National President, Potato Farmers Association of Nigeria, POFAN, Chief Daniel Okafor, said, “Rice is very important because of the acceptance and demand that is always there, hence the way to drive down the prices is to increase production.
“The only thing I want to tell the government is to support the farmers, and also give farmers quality seed to increase production, and I advocate more production of rice to meet the demand and the price will go down with support of the government with quality farm inputs given to rice farmers.
“There is no way one can compare rice with cassava and yam because the demand is very high on rice, hence like I said the production of rice should be increased.”
Let’s not overlook importance of rice – FCT AFAN
The Chairperson, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, Federal Capital Territory, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and Founder, Visionary Women in Agricultural Development in Africa, VIWADA, Perpetual Okafor, said, “In as much as I will advocate for the production of yam and cassava in larger quantities, I will also propose that those three crops including rice, should be given full focus to ensure a food security nation is achieved.
“Look at what is happening now with the price of rice in the market and consider when we depend wholly on importation of rice or importation of the larger proportion of the rice we consume.
“To crown it, I would advise that we should not overlook the importance of rice in everyday lives of many families, especially during festival and ceremonial periods.
Nigeria is blessed with everything by God, and it is just misuse of resources that is killing the economy. When the head get it done right the other part of the body will follow suit.”
VANGUARD
