It is an important staple in the tropics and is grown in increasing amounts per capita. Cassava is still a “food crop” – more than 90% consumed as traditional foods. Though traditionally processed for food, it has been increasingly used throughout the world in textile, food, pharmaceutical and biochemical industries.
Starch companies have long established deal to supply cassava starch to Nestle, Cadbury, Unilever, and so on. Unfortunately, most of them are only running at around 60 per cent capacities . The demand for starch is expected to continue to grow at five per cent yearly in total demand, and this puts total demand for starch at 357,000 metric tonnes by 2020, especially as more companies seek to establish local production lines to service the expanding Nigerian and West African markets .
The primary reason cited remains the high price of Nigerian fresh cassava root , combined with inefficient processors, reducing processor ability to secure FCR to run at installed capacity of their processing facilities. Although, demand for industrial starch is rapidly increasing, Nigeria’s ability to meet that demand is not certain in the nearest future.
Development partners should encourage Nigerians to gain from their investments by supporting the use of stem multiplication techniques like semi-auto hydroponic system to produce new and pure stems for wider distribution to farmers.
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