Yobe, Bauchi communities make fortunes from cassava flour

Cassava farming in the border communities of Bauchi and Yobe States is thriving, offering new opportunities for farmers and processors while curbing rural-urban migration. Residents of Birniwa and Bursori villages in Bauchi State, and Murfakalam in Yobe State, have turned to cassava cultivation and processing as a viable source of income, supported by a rich history spanning over a decade.

Farmers in these areas have seen increased profits from both processed cassava flour and unprocessed dried cassava, marketed locally and to travelers. A single bag of unprocessed cassava fetches between ₦30,000 and ₦50,000, while locally processed cassava flour is sold for ₦2,500 per bag. These ventures have not only improved livelihoods but also significantly reduced youth migration to urban centers.

Despite this progress, farmers are calling for greater government support to expand cassava farming. They advocate for the establishment of processing industries and provision of essential farming inputs to sustain and grow the industry.

The Yobe State government has already taken steps to support farmers by distributing cassava stems to promote cultivation. According to Malam Nurudeen Mohammed, a senior lecturer at Yobe State College of Agriculture, cassava farming has positively impacted the GDP of the region and provided sustainable livelihoods for the communities involved.
Source: DailyTrust

Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
Implications for Agri-Food Stakeholders

1. Farmers and Communities: Cassava farming has transformed local economies by creating income-generating opportunities and reducing dependency on urban migration. It has become a cornerstone for sustaining family livelihoods, with potential for further expansion.
2. Government and Policy Makers: The call for government intervention underscores the need for policy-driven initiatives that address challenges in cassava farming, such as limited access to inputs, infrastructure for processing, and market linkages.
3. Private Sector and Investors: The cassava industry presents untapped opportunities for investment in value-added processing facilities, improved packaging, and export markets.

Recommendations for Stakeholders

1. Enhance Processing and Value Addition:
   – Establish cassava processing plants to scale up production and improve the quality of cassava flour and other derivatives.
   – Train farmers and processors in modern cassava handling and packaging techniques to access premium markets.
2. Strengthen Market Access:
   – Develop structured markets to ensure consistent demand and fair pricing for cassava products.
   – Explore export opportunities for cassava flour and starch in regional and international markets.
3. Provide Targeted Government Support:
   – Expand the distribution of cassava stems and other subsidized inputs to more communities.
   – Introduce rural infrastructure projects such as access roads, power supply, and storage facilities to improve logistics.
   – Partner with private firms to invest in mechanization and reduce labor-intensive farming practices.
4. Empower Youths Through Agribusiness:
   – Launch programs to train youths in cassava value-chain activities, such as farming, processing, and marketing, to further curb rural-urban migration.
   – Provide financial support and loans tailored for young farmers entering cassava production.

Strategic Outlook
Cassava farming holds immense potential for economic growth and food security in Northeast Nigeria. With targeted investments in infrastructure, policy reforms, and capacity building, cassava farming can evolve into a robust agribusiness model. Strengthening local value chains and linking farmers to broader markets will ensure the industry’s sustainability, improve livelihoods, and contribute to the region’s GDP.
As agribusiness stakeholders, leveraging this opportunity to scale cassava farming could position the sector as a key driver of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.