A coalition comprising both foreign and Nigeria-based agricultural firms, spearheaded by Shine Bridge Incorporated, has expressed keen interest in collaborating with the Federal Government on extensive commercial cassava processing and food manufacturing ventures.
Shine Bridge, a U.S.-based agricultural policy think tank and food technology transfer company, was represented by its Chairman, Dr. Tony Bello, during a roundtable discussion with Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, held on Wednesday in Abuja.
A U.S.-based food company is leading a coalition aiming to collaborate with the Federal Government on cassava export endeavors.
Addressing the roundtable with Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, Shine Bridge Chairman Dr. Tony Bello emphasized the potential of cassava to contribute to food security, foreign exchange earnings, and economic transformation.
Bello highlighted the substantial international demand for cassava products, with the U.S. alone importing around 80,000 tonnes annually from countries like Thailand, Costa Rica, Vietnam, and China. He stressed Nigeria’s position as the largest cassava producer, advocating for the country to dominate the market.
The coalition’s objective is to enhance processing capacity among partner companies in Nigeria, with plans to export 50,000 tonnes of high-quality cassava flour and food-grade cassava starch by 2024. They aim to work with small and medium enterprises to export 3,000 tonnes by 2024, increasing to 5,000 tonnes by 2025 and 10,000 tonnes by 2026.
Bello emphasized the importance of transforming cassava into higher-value products, citing examples such as savory snacks, shawarma, pizza, and instant tapioca flakes. He called for collaboration between the coalition and the Ministry to address challenges and promote growth in the cassava sector.
The coalition seeks government intervention on access to cassava, price stability, coordination of cassava-producing states, and advocacy to the African Development Bank.
In response, Minister Abdullahi highlighted the timeliness of such investments amid Nigeria’s food crisis. He underscored the potential for cassava to substitute wheat imports, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth. Abdullahi urged the coalition to conduct thorough feasibility studies and prepare for potential obstacles to implementation, emphasizing the need for sustainable processing technologies and value chain development.
Abdullahi called for consensus and momentum to ensure the success of the initiative, expressing eagerness to see it materialize.
