The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to revive the defunct Presidential Committee on Cassava Initiative and ensure cassava farmers have unhindered access to short-term loans through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other financial institutions.
The lawmakers said the move was essential to strengthening food security, driving industrial growth, and positioning cassava as a key non-oil export commodity capable of earning foreign exchange for the country.
This followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Canice Nwachukwu (APC, Imo) during Wednesday’s plenary, where he described cassava as one of Nigeria’s most promising agricultural ventures with vast potential across food, livestock feed, and industrial sectors.
Nwachukwu noted that beyond its role as a staple food, cassava’s by-products such as garri, starch, and peels have become major export earners and raw materials for pharmaceuticals and manufacturing industries.
He maintained that easy access to short-term loans and modern processing equipment would revolutionize cassava farming, increase productivity, and improve farmers’ income.
“If cassava farmers can access short-term credit and efficient processing machines, they can produce garri and fufu more hygienically, improve food quality, and boost the nation’s GDP,” he said.
The lawmaker, however, expressed concern that despite Nigeria’s status as one of Africa’s top cassava producers, about 90 percent of its output is still processed locally at the cottage level with outdated techniques.
“Most processors are women who work under poor hygienic conditions and lack access to credit and equipment. These challenges result in low productivity, poor packaging, and reduced competitiveness in both local and export markets,” he lamented.
Adopting the motion, the House directed the CBN to mandate the Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry, and other financial institutions to develop credit mechanisms tailored to cassava farmers’ needs.
It further called on President Bola Tinubu to reconstitute the Presidential Committee on the Cassava Initiative, formerly known as the Composite Cassava Flour Initiative of 2002 — to promote value addition, research, and farmer empowerment.
Furthermore, the House mandated the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to embark on extensive training for smallholder farmers on improved cassava cultivation, processing, and packaging techniques to meet global standards.
The Committees on Agricultural Production and Services and Legislative Compliance were directed to monitor the implementation of the resolutions and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
