LAGOS – An agro processor, Mrs Nike Tinubu, on Saturday said increased cultivation of cassava had boosted its processing into flour and reduced the challenge of sourcing for raw materials.
Tinubu, who is the Managing Director, Eko Quality Cassava Processing Plant, made the observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
She said that more farmers were now cultivating cassava tubers because of availability of ready markets.
Tinubu said that cassava processing into flour was becoming easier because of exposure and support from the government on cassava flour processing.
“The main challenge we used to have before was the supply of raw materials which is no longer a challenge because there are more farmers and they know where their buyers are already.
“The challenge of infrastructure too has been lessened because the rural roads have been improved.
“But the challenge of power supply is still there, it has not improved at all; we are still depending on other alternative sources such as diesel.
“We have actually become farmers and that helps to reduce the expense in purchasing raw materials,“ Tinubu said.
Mr Sola Adepomola, the President, Nigeria Cooperative Association Organisation (NACO), said that the 10 per cent cassava flour inclusion in bread production was the government’s way of ensuring food security.
“This is another way for government to sustain food security in the country. It is an improvement and these are steps we should be taking, “ Adepomola said.
NAN reports that Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, had on Nov.18, launched commercial production of 10 per cent composite cassava flour product in the country.
The initiative was to promote local content in bread production. (NAN)
Raw materials no longer challenge to cassava processor, says agro processor
Loading...
