The Future of Cassava Production in Nigeria

Abstract:

This work was inspired by a genuine desire to reduce poverty in the Nigerian society, generate employment, promote rural development, increase export and also serve as a panacea to the countrys over-dependence on crude oil. The objective of this study is therefore to establish the current potential of cassava production in Nigeria with a view to developing and actualizing them. In achieving this objective, figures for cassava annual production outputs were obtained from records kept by relevant organizations for the past twenty eight years (1980-2007). The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 15.0 was used to analyze the data to obtain the best time series model that can predict the annual cassava output. The linear model obtained predicted production output at about 56 and 60 millions tonnes of cassava by the year 2017 and 2020, respectively. These figures were quite very small when compared with targets of 150 million tonnes in 2020 set by stakeholders in agriculture in successive governments. This necessitated the identification of the current constraints militating against cassava production and the possible way forward. Therefore, questionnaires were distributed and the Likert Scale used for analysis to determine the constraints militating against cassava production and proffer solutions. In charting a way forward, efforts by past administrations at improving cassava production were appraised. Consequently, the research recommended the provision of agricultural inputs such as credit facilities and infrastructural facilities as key measures necessary for enhanced cassava production.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 824)
• Pages: 553-560
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.824.553
• Online since: September 2013
• Authors: U.J. Udosen, A.J. Emuekpere
• Keywords: Agricultural Industries, Cassava Cultivation, Cassava Production, Predicted Production Output, Time Series Models

References

[1] A. Kotti, The Nigerian Economy: An Appraisal of the Agricultural Sector, Leslie, p.6., (1996).

[2] J. Emuekpere, The Future of Cassava Production in Nigeria, Unpublished M. Eng Thesis, Department of Production Engineering, University of Benin, Nigeria, (2009).

[3] K. Y. Amoako, Africa's Best Hope for Food Security, Paper delivered during the proceedings of the workshop on Agricultural Intensification in Sub-Saharan Africa held at the Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (1997).

[4] F. I. Nweke, S.C. Dunstan, and K.J. Lynam, The Cassava Transformation: Africa's Best Kept Secret, Michigan State University Press, (2002).

[5] W. G. Donovan, Investing in Rural Development, Paper delivered during the proceedings of the workshop on Agricultural Intensification in Sub-Saharan Africa held at the Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia , (1997).

[6] E.V.K. Jaycox, Investing in Physical Infrastructure, A paper delivered during the proceedings of the workshop on Agricultural Intensification in Sub-Saharan Africa held at the Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia , (1997).

[7] K. Agu, Cassava Production in Nigeria, Financial Standard, (2004).

[8] I. Abdulazeez, Processing Cassava for Export, The Thy Consulting Ltd, (2002).

[9] L. Sanni, A Cassava Industrial Revolution in Nigeria, FAO Corporate Documentary Repository, (2004).

[10] M. Akoroda, The Global Cassava Development Strategy, FAO Corporate Document Repository, (2004).

[11] B. T. Salami and T. E. Sangoyomi, Soil Fertility Status of Cassava Fields in South Western Nigeria, American Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 3 (1): 152-164, (2013).

DOI: 10.9734/ajea/2013/2088

[12] A. O. Oni, C.F. I Onwuka, O.M. Arigbede, U.Y. Anele, O.O. Oduguwa, O.S. Onifade and Z. L. Tan, Chemical composition and nutritive value of four varieties of cassava leaves grown in South-Western Nigeria, Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 95(5) 583-590, (2011).

DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2010.01086.x

[13] I.U. Odoemenem and L.B. Otanwa, Economic Analysis of Cassava Production in Benue State, Nigeria, Current Research Journal of Social Sciences 3(5) 406-411, (2011).

[14] K. Adebayo, Dynamics of technology adoption in rural-based cassava processing enterprises in South-West Nigeria, International Journal of Agricultural Economics & Rural Development 2(1) (2009).

[15] M. E. Okoh, M.B. Mohammed, and B. E. Umaru, The relevance of cassava production processing, the growing domestic and foreign markets, Nigerian Journal of Science, Technology and Environmental Education, 3 (1), (2010).

[16] T. E. Sangoyomi and A. Ayandiji, Status of cassava production, distribution and utilization in Osun State, Nigeria, International Journal of Agricultural Science and Research, 3 (1)1-6, (2013).