Unlocking Cassava’s Potential: Combating Malnutrition and Fueling Nigeria’s Agribusiness Growth

Have you ever wondered if a single crop could revolutionize an entire continent’s food security, create jobs, and generate sustainable wealth? As a member of the African diaspora, you may have long recognized the untapped potential of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, but have you considered how cassava, a staple that has fed millions for centuries, might be the key to transforming nutrition and economic prosperity?

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In 2017, Nigeria emerged as the world’s largest producer of cassava, contributing 59 million tons—approximately 20% of global production—with a remarkable 37% growth over the past decade. The country exports about 3.2 million tons annually, reaching a record $136 million in export earnings in 2013.

The success of cassava farming relies heavily on access to quality stem cuttings. With such vast production, cassava presents a powerful solution to combat malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency, while also driving a broader agribusiness revolution across the nation.

The question is: How will you harness this opportunity to create lasting change and position yourself at the forefront of Africa’s agricultural revolution?

Nigeria’s Agricultural Landscape: A Sleeping Giant Awakening

In a Business Insider article titled “56% of Nigeria’s Arable Land Remains Unexploited”, Chinedu Okafor, a Senior Reporter at Business Insider Africa with five years of experience, discusses the Nigerian government’s efforts to diversify its economy and integrate technology into agriculture. These two strategies have been identified as key to Nigeria’s economic growth and development beyond oil.

In the article, Okafor cites Dr. Mohammad Abubakar, Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, who highlighted these initiatives during the 45th meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Rural Development. According to Dr. Abubakar, Nigeria has a total of 79 million hectares of agricultural land, but only 44% of it is currently being cultivated.

The country is also rich in water resources, with 267 billion cubic meters of fresh surface water and 58 billion cubic meters of underground water, though only 37 billion cubic meters are stored in dams. Annual rainfall in Nigeria ranges from 300mm to 4,000mm, further enhancing its agricultural potential.

Despite this abundance, Dr. Abubakar pointed out that the nation’s irrigable land—estimated at 3.14 million hectares—remains largely underutilized, with less than 7% currently in use.

This paradox is a call to action for forward-thinking investors like you. Nigeria’s diverse agro-ecological zones support a wide array of crops—from yams and maize to cocoa and oil palm. Yet, one crop stands out not only for its resilience and adaptability but also for its critical role in nutrition: cassava.

Cassava: A Cornerstone for Nutrition and Economic Growth

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is more than just a staple food, it is a lifeline for millions across Sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, it is celebrated not only for its high yield but also for its ability to thrive in poor soils and adverse climatic conditions.

This drought-tolerant crop is the backbone of many diets in West and Central Africa, providing essential carbohydrates that fuel daily life. Its inherent versatility means it can be transformed into various products such as garri, fufu, tapioca, flour, and starch, each playing a vital role in both household nutrition and industrial applications.

For many Nigerians, cassava is the primary source of energy. A typical 100-gram serving of fresh cassava provides around 130 calories and between 75 to 80 grams of carbohydrates.

“In many developing countries,” said in an article, “cassava helps combat malnutrition and protein deficiency. Its ability to grow in marginal conditions makes it resilient to climate change. The United Nations recognizes cassava as a “crop of the twenty-first century” due to its adaptability and potential to improve food security”.

While cassava itself may not be a powerhouse of protein or minerals, its leaves are rich in vitamin A, a nutrient critical for healthy vision, immune function, and skin health.

This dual aspect energy-dense roots combined with nutrient-rich leaves, renders cassava particularly effective in combating malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency, issues that affect millions of children and pregnant women across Africa.

Combating Malnutrition and Vitamin A Deficiency with Cassava

Malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency are rampant in many developing countries, including Nigeria. Malnutrition, often caused by an imbalanced or inadequate diet, can lead to stunted growth, weakened immunity, and increased susceptibility to infections.

Vitamin A deficiency, on the other hand, is a leading cause of preventable blindness in children and can severely impair immune function.

By integrating cassava into the daily diet, communities can benefit in multiple ways:

Dietary Energy: Cassava is a rich source of carbohydrates, providing a critical energy boost for growing children and active adults.
Vitamin A Source: Cassava leaves, when consumed as a vegetable, offer a good source of vitamin A. Studies have shown that incorporating cassava leaves into meals can help reduce the incidence of vitamin A deficiency in rural communities (International Food Policy Research Institute, 2022).
Resilience in Harsh Climates: Because cassava thrives in drought-prone areas and poor soils, it can serve as a reliable crop where other staples may fail, ensuring a consistent food supply even in adverse conditions.
Versatility for Fortification: Cassava-based products can be fortified to further enhance their nutritional value. Biofortification projects, such as those led by HarvestPlus, have already demonstrated success in increasing the vitamin A content of staple crops.

These benefits underscore why cassava should be at the forefront of efforts to combat malnutrition. For African diaspora entrepreneurs, investing in the cassava value chain offers not just economic returns but also the satisfaction of contributing to improved public health across the continent.

The Economic Benefits of Cassava Cultivation

In a Forbes article titled “How Cassava Could Impact the Future of Agriculture in Africa,” Daniel Danino, CEO and founder of Volta Metals, highlights how investing in cassava can significantly reduce African countries’ dependence on imported wheat flour, enhance food security, and foster economic growth.

Cassava, a remarkably resilient crop, thrives in challenging environments and can be converted into a wide array of products, including flour, ethanol, and animal feed. Beyond its versatility, cassava is also a valuable source of carbohydrates and essential nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Under optimal growing conditions, cassava can yield up to 50 tons of fresh roots per hectare, making it one of the highest-yielding crops globally.

In particular, Nigeria’s cassava production holds immense economic promise. While the country is the world’s largest producer of cassava, much of its output remains at the subsistence level, with limited value-added processing.

By transforming raw cassava into products like flour, starch, ethanol, and animal feed, there is a tremendous opportunity to unlock significant economic growth, create jobs, and add value to the agricultural sector.

Food Security and Economic Stability

Nigeria’s rapidly growing population, which is projected to reach 400 million by 2050 (United Nations, 2022), places enormous pressure on food systems. Cassava’s robust production can help fill this gap, providing affordable and nutritious food to millions while reducing reliance on imports.

With proper investment in processing facilities, Nigeria could significantly boost its domestic food supply and even become a leading exporter of cassava products.

Job Creation and Rural Development

Cassava cultivation is labor-intensive and offers employment to millions, particularly women. In the southeast, about 67% of cassava cultivation and processing is carried out by women, while in the southwest and central regions, this figure is around 58% (Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, 2023).

By scaling up cassava processing and value addition, you can create thousands of jobs in rural communities, stimulate local economies, and empower marginalized groups.

Industrial Applications and Export Potential

The industrial uses of cassava are vast. For example:

Cassava Starch: Utilized in textiles, paper, pharmaceuticals, and even as an ingredient for biodegradable plastics.
Cassava Ethanol: Serves as a renewable energy source, reducing the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels.
Cassava Flour: With the global rise in demand for gluten-free products, cassava flour is a viable alternative to wheat, opening doors to lucrative export markets.

According to the World Bank (2023), if Nigeria were to process even 20% of its cassava production, the country could tap into a multi-billion-dollar market, significantly reducing its food import bill and boosting its non-oil GDP.

The Role of the African Diaspora in Driving Agribusiness Forward

As a member of the African diaspora, you have a unique opportunity to shape Nigeria’s agribusiness landscape. Your access to global markets, advanced technologies, and financial resources can help bridge the gap between smallholder farmers and high-value agribusiness. Here are some key strategies you can employ:

1. Investing in Cassava Processing and Value Addition

Investing in modern processing facilities is critical to unlock cassava’s full economic potential. Despite Nigeria’s massive cassava production, less than 10% is processed into high-value products.

By setting up state-of-the-art cassava mills, you can convert raw cassava into products like flour, starch, and ethanol, which command higher prices in both domestic and international markets. This not only reduces the nation’s reliance on food imports but also creates robust export opportunities.

2. Leveraging Technology and Innovation

Technology plays a pivotal role in modernizing agriculture. As a diaspora investor, you can introduce innovative solutions to increase productivity and efficiency:

AI and Machine Learning: Use data-driven tools for climate forecasting, disease prediction, and precision farming.
Blockchain: Implement blockchain for transparent supply chain management, ensuring traceability and quality control from farm to export.
Mechanization: Invest in modern farming equipment and processing technologies to reduce labor costs and increase yields.

These technologies can significantly reduce post-harvest losses, which currently account for up to 40% of cassava production losses (UNEP, 2023) and streamline operations for better profitability.

3. Forging Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations

Successful agribusiness ventures require strong local partnerships. Collaborate with:

Farmers’ Cooperatives: Build relationships with local farming groups to ensure a steady supply of raw cassava.
Research Institutions: Work with organizations such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Nigeria’s National Root Crops Research Institute to access improved cassava varieties and best farming practices.
Export Agencies: Engage with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to navigate international trade regulations and secure export markets.

Forming these alliances will not only mitigate risks but also help you gain insider knowledge of the local market, paving the way for successful, scalable ventures.

4. Advocating for Policy Reforms and Infrastructure Development

The Nigerian government has begun to recognize the importance of agribusiness in economic diversification. However, policy implementation remains inconsistent. As a diaspora entrepreneur, you can:

Lobby for Pro-Agribusiness Policies: Advocate for measures such as tax breaks, subsidized loans, and streamlined land leasing processes.
Invest in Rural Infrastructure: Support projects aimed at building better roads, storage facilities, and processing hubs in rural areas.
Utilize Diaspora Bonds: Leverage financial instruments such as diaspora bonds, which have been used successfully in other sectors, to channel investments into agribusiness (World Bank, 2023).

By engaging with policymakers and infrastructure developers, you can create an enabling environment that supports agribusiness growth and maximizes returns on investment.

Overcoming Challenges: What You Need to Succeed

Investing in Nigeria’s agribusiness, while promising, comes with its share of challenges. To succeed, you must be prepared to navigate these obstacles strategically.

1. Access to Land and Government Support

Navigating the complexities of land ownership in Nigeria is no small feat. Much of the land is communally owned, and securing long-term leases can be difficult. However, there are avenues available for savvy investors:

Leasing Arrangements: Some state governments offer structured land lease programs designed to attract agribusiness investment.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Collaborate with local and state governments to develop large-scale agribusiness projects.
Diaspora Investment Incentives: Leverage incentives such as tax breaks, subsidized loans, and grants targeted at diaspora investors. Programs like the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) can help mitigate financial risks.

2. Finding Reliable Local Partners

The success of your investment heavily depends on the quality of your local partnerships. Building strong relationships with the right stakeholders is crucial:

Farmers’ Cooperatives: Work closely with local cooperatives to secure a steady supply of cassava. These groups can provide insight into regional practices and help negotiate better prices.
Research Institutions: Partner with institutions like the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to gain access to improved cassava varieties and cutting-edge farming techniques.
Export Agencies: Engage with organizations such as the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to streamline your path to international markets.

3. Managing Logistics and Supply Chain Issues

Efficient logistics are the backbone of successful agribusiness. In Nigeria, poor infrastructure can lead to significant losses:

Cold Storage Facilities: Invest in refrigerated storage solutions to minimize post-harvest losses, which currently can reach up to 40%.
Efficient Transportation Networks: Develop or partner with transportation companies to ensure that products move swiftly from farm to processing plants and export terminals.
Local Processing Hubs: Establish processing centers near production zones to add value to raw cassava, reducing waste and increasing profit margins.

By addressing these logistical challenges, you can ensure that your investment not only survives but thrives, delivering high-quality products to both local and global markets.

Combating Food Insecurity and Driving Economic Growth

Your investment in Nigerian agribusiness, particularly in cassava cultivation and processing, has the potential to generate far-reaching benefits beyond mere profit. Here’s how:

1. Enhancing Food Security

Nigeria, despite its agricultural abundance, remains a net importer of food, spending billions annually to meet domestic needs. By transforming raw cassava into processed products, you can:

Boost Local Food Production: Processed cassava products like flour, starch, and biofuel reduce reliance on imported foods.
Improve Nutritional Outcomes: Cassava is a vital source of carbohydrates and, when fortified, can help address malnutrition and vitamin A deficiency, common issues in many parts of Africa (WHO, 2023).
Stabilize Food Supply: Cassava’s drought tolerance and ability to be stored for extended periods ensure a steady food supply, even in times of climate stress.

2. Creating Jobs and Empowering Communities

Investments in agribusiness create employment opportunities across the value chain:

Direct Employment: Jobs in farming, processing, and logistics directly benefit rural communities.
Empowering Women: In Nigeria, women play a crucial role in cassava cultivation and processing. By supporting women-led cooperatives, your investment can empower thousands of women, boosting household incomes and community resilience (Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, 2023).
Economic Multipliers: Increased income leads to higher spending within local economies, driving further growth and development.

3. Fostering Sustainable Economic Growth

By modernizing Nigeria’s agricultural sector, you can contribute to the country’s broader economic diversification:

Reducing Import Dependency: Boosting local production and processing reduces the need for food imports, conserving foreign exchange reserves.
Export Expansion: With proper value addition, Nigeria can become a leading exporter of cassava-based products, tapping into global markets such as the European Union, North America, and Asia (OEC, 2023).
Attracting Further Investment: Successful agribusiness ventures create a ripple effect, attracting additional investors and fueling a sustainable agribusiness ecosystem.

The African Diaspora: A Catalyst for Transformation

Your role as an African diaspora entrepreneur is not limited to investing money; it’s about bringing in a wealth of knowledge, global market access, and innovative practices that can transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. Here’s how you can be a catalyst:

1. Bridging Investment Gaps

Consider setting up or joining diaspora-led investment funds that focus specifically on agriculture, similar to models seen in fintech and real estate. These funds can provide much-needed capital for:

Modernizing farming equipment.
Building processing plants.
Developing rural infrastructure.

2. Facilitating Technology Transfer

You have access to advanced agricultural technologies and management practices from your experiences abroad. Transferring this knowledge to Nigeria can lead to:

AI-driven precision agriculture that optimizes crop yields.
Blockchain-based supply chain solutions that enhance transparency and traceability.
Mechanization and automation in processing to reduce labor costs and boost efficiency.

Partnering with local research institutions like IITA and leveraging platforms such as ThriveAgric and Farmcrowdy can help you bring these innovations to scale.

3. Advocacy and Policy Influence

Diaspora investors often have significant clout in their home countries. Use this influence to advocate for policies that promote agribusiness:

Lobby for tax incentives and subsidies for agribusiness ventures.
Support initiatives that improve rural infrastructure, better roads, storage facilities, and transportation networks.
Work with governmental bodies to create a more favorable land acquisition and leasing environment for large-scale agricultural projects.

Your advocacy can pave the way for a more robust and sustainable agribusiness ecosystem in Nigeria.

A Vision for the Future

Picture a future where Nigeria is not only self-sufficient in food production but is a leading exporter of high-quality agricultural products. Imagine rural communities flourishing with jobs, empowered by modern agribusiness practices, and a vibrant economy that leverages its agricultural potential to drive sustainable development.

This future is within reach, but it requires bold action and strategic investments from visionaries like you.

By harnessing the potential of cassava, a crop that thrives in Nigeria’s challenging environments and is rich in carbohydrates and essential nutrients, you can help transform Nigeria’s food landscape.

More than just an investment, it is a commitment to building a more prosperous, secure, and sustainable future for millions.

Conclusion: Your Call to Action

Nigeria’s agricultural sector is a sleeping giant, brimming with untapped potential and ready to be awakened by the right investments. As an African diaspora entrepreneur, you have the opportunity to make a lasting impact by investing in and modernizing the cassava value chain.

Whether it’s through establishing processing plants, introducing cutting-edge agritech solutions, or advocating for supportive policies, your contribution can transform Nigeria’s economy, create jobs, and improve food security.

The time to act is now. Seize this opportunity to be at the forefront of Africa’s agricultural renaissance, and let your investment not only yield financial returns but also contribute to a more secure and sustainable future for Nigeria and the entire continent.