Harnessing science and technology for cassava productivity and food security in Nigeria

Abstract

In Nigeria, cassava has grown to become one of the most popular staple food crops. For more than a decade, Nigeria has maintained global leadership in cassava production. This paper reviews and discusses the Nigeria capacity in cassava production and processing. The aim is to make policy suggestions that can assist government initiatives on promotion of cassava production and processing to enhance food security through the employment of science and technology. Although presently government is encouraging private sector participation in developing technologies for expanded use of cassava as raw materials in the food and non-food industries. The development of the sector however will require initial activities in capacity building, further product development, fabrication and transfer of processing technologies to target beneficiaries, and development of clusters to supply identified markets. To sustain Nigeria's global leadership in cassava production, the paper suggests the need to map out the cassava value chain in the cassava sectoral innovation system. This no doubt will help to strengthen the links between the supply and demand in the most effective way.