An agricultural expert, Tony Bello, has called for accelerated industrialisation of Nigeria’s cassava industry, stressing that increased investment in value addition is critical to unlocking the crop’s full economic potential, creating jobs and boosting the country’s export capacity.
Bello, who is the Chief Innovation and Commercialisation Officer of Matna Foods Ltd., made the appeal on Tuesday in Lagos.
According to him, Nigeria has enormous potential to become a global leader in cassava processing if greater emphasis is placed on industrial-scale production and the development of value-added products.
He noted that while Nigeria remains one of the world’s largest producers of cassava, much of the crop is still consumed or sold in its raw form, limiting the economic benefits that could be derived from processing.
Bello advocated increased investment in cassava processing facilities capable of producing high-value products such as industrial starch, ethanol, high-quality cassava flour, sweeteners and other industrial raw materials.
He explained that expanding value addition would not only increase farmers’ incomes but also create employment opportunities, stimulate industrial growth and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and international markets.
The expert further emphasized that developing the cassava value chain would reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen food security and lessen the country’s dependence on imported industrial inputs.
He called for stronger collaboration between government, the private sector, research institutions and development partners to improve access to financing, modern processing technologies and market opportunities for cassava-based products.
Stakeholders have consistently identified cassava as one of Nigeria’s most strategic agricultural commodities with significant potential to drive industrialisation, diversify exports and contribute to sustainable economic development.
Bello reaffirmed that sustained investment in innovation, processing and value addition will be key to transforming Nigeria’s cassava industry into a globally competitive sector capable of generating substantial economic and social benefits.
