Vast Opportunities For Investment And Creation Of Wealth In Cassava Processing – Independent Newspaper Nigeria

Cassava is of one of the agricul­tural produce that has great po­tential to create wealth in that it is widely consumed in country in various ways just as it is a source of raw material for other products. If you really want to make it big in agribusiness you can explore the opportunities offered by this all-important produce along its val­ue chain. The chemical compositions of cassava include carbohydrates, calcium, Vitamin B and C and minerals. Starch is an essential component of cassava products such as food, confectionery, sweaters, glues, plywood, textiles, paper, monosodium glutamate and drugs. Cas­sava chips and pellets are used in animal feeds and production of alcohol. Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassa­va with an annual output of 45 million metric tons. In 2004, she was producing 40 million tons up from 36 million tons. Cassava grows in all parts of Nigeria. But it is found in abundance mainly in the southern states such as Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Edo, Lagos, Kogi, Plateau, Enugu, Ebonyi and Anambra. Cassava has the potential to generate a lot of mon­ey ranging from processing to packaging for internal consumption and for export. It can be processed into varieties of food such as fufu, garri, cassava powder, and so on, and prepared in a variety of ways to assuage hunger. It can also be processed to add value to raw materials for indus­trial purposes.

An investor can take advantage of the cheap and often wasted cassava due to spoilage in the farms and reap huge prof­its by adding value to the raw materials. A skilled entrepreneur who appreciates hy­gienic production of food, attractive pack­aging and reputable food brand names that deliver on promises can leverage on the opportunities that abound in pro­cessing and adding value to create more wealth. One can process cassava into gar­ri, flour, glucose, biscuits and so on.

Cassava Leaves

Cassava leaves, which are usually thrown away during harvest can be pro­cessed into livestock feed such as silage, cassava leaf meal and pellets. The cas­sava leaf is a good source of protein for ruminants. In Nigeria, there are about 3.5 million hectares of cassava across the country. Cassava leaves can be translated to money for those who want to venture into its exploitation.

Cassava has the highest yield of car­bohydrate or starch compared to other crops such as rice, wheat, maize, yam and sorghum. The global demand for starch is very high and still rising. Cassava is the best and cheapest crop that yields starch. For those who want to produce starch, the return on investment is very high. Instead of sugar, starch-based sweeteners such as glucose could be used in the pro­duction of soft drinks. Such sweeteners are safer because the body can absorb all of th

Bio-fuel

Fuel and ethanol could be produced from cassava thus providing a substitute for petrol. For Nigeria, fuel from cassava is even better than fuel from hydrocar­bons because it is free from all the prob­lems associated with oil exploitation such as gas flaring, environmental degrada­tion and militancy. Brazil has been run­ning her motor engines on ethanol pro­duced from cassava for the past 50 years, and the same can be replicated in Nigeria with a handsome reward on investment for anyone who pioneers the venture here in the country.

Export Potential

Cassava chips and pellets export is a billion-dollar business. The pellets are used in animal feed and alcohol produc­tion. They are foreign exchange earn­ers through export of starch and other products. The Federal Government and stakeholders have been encouraging ex­port of Nigerian products to enhance the nation’s foreign exchange revenue and discourage over-reliance on petroleum products export as the main source of foreign exchange.

Drug Manufacture

Cassava can be processed into a health product to treat HIV/AIDS, kwashiokor and other ailments.

Wheat Substitute

Cassava can be used to substitute for imported wheat flour, sugar, monosodi­um glutamate and other items in bread production. In 2014, Dr. Akinwunmi Ade­sina, former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, pursued the policy of 20 per cent inclusion of cassava in bread production. With the adoption of 20 per cent HQCF in wheat for bread and confectioneries production, Nigeria was saving about N127 billion annually and could save up to N200 billion. Unfortu­nately that project seemed to have gone with the administration. As in other pol­icies in the country, there is always no continuity.

Training

It has to be emphasised that training is very important in any agribusiness one goes into to avoid mistakes that might ruin the business. One must acquire new knowledge and skills needed for a successful business. Consult the experts.

Cassava processing has raised the in­come of many investors, helping Nigeria to diversify the economy. It can also help you to create sustainable wealth in indus­trial food, beverage, chemical and export for cassava-based products through im­port substitution.