<i>Virtual Water use in Cassava Propagation and Processing in Southwestern Nigeria</i>

Abstract

Abstract. Water is an economic good that should be well accounted for globally. In most developing countries, little or no emphasis is placed on water transfer through trade of their agricultural commodities. With changing climate, there is need for developing countries to include the virtual water concept in their international trade dealings. This paper reports the virtual water flow involved in the propagation of four varieties of cassava (TMS30572, TMS980505, TMS920326, and TMS090581) obtained from IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria. Volume of water involved in cassava processing was considered. Virtual water was estimated for the period of cultivation and corresponding cassava yield. Cassava processing water use was obtained from three randomly selected cassava processing plants. At 120 Days After Planting (DAP), TMS920326 had virtual water of 7.9 m3/ton while TMS90581 had virtual water of 16.1 m3/ton. Virtual water of 13.3 m3/ton and 18.7 m3/ton were recorded for TMS980505 and TMS90581 respectively after 150 DAP. After 180 DAP, TMS980505 had virtual water of 15.5 m3/ton and TMS90581 had 20.6 m3/ton. The volume of water used in processing cassava through fermentation process was 1.5 m3/ton while that for non-fermentation process was 1 m3/ton. The results obtained suggested that virtual water flow for cassava vary with its species and processing method employed. Based on the least amount of water used in propagation, TMS980505 will give optimum returns on investment in the exportation of cassava products. Nigeria being the largest producer and exporter of cassava in the world, incorporating the amount of water used in cassava production and processing into its export value may be a step in the right direction.