Trends and prospects for cassava in Nigeria

This report examines the trends and prospects for Nigerian cassava production, utilization, and trade, with emphasis on expanding human consumption through adoption of improved processing and storage technologies. In this context the report examines the role of cassava in the farming system, the effect of technological improvements on rural employment and income, and the prospects for direct consumption of cassava as food in fresh and processed forms. The scope for cassava"s utilization as feed, starch, and other purposes is also explored. Major findings are that cassava production and domestic utilization grew steadily until around 1970 and then fell throughout the early 1970"s due to the oil boom and the large-scale migration of farmers to urban areas. After 1976, production and consumption began to rise again as the result of improved varieties and mechanized processing. Alternative scenarios for cassava trends in 1990 and 2000 are presented, followed by strategies to expand cassava"s role in attaining Nigeria"s overall economic goals through further research to improve both production and processing.