The International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has warned Nigeria against cassava export,? saying the country would not get full value from the export.
The IITA Station Manager, Mr Olusegun Adunoye, made this known in an interview with newsmen in Kubwa, a satellite town in Abuja on Sunday.
Adunoye said: “if Nigeria exports its cassava, it will only be refined and sold back to us at exorbitant prices.’’
He said Nigeria should produce and refine its cassava, as this would not only generate more revenue for the country, it would also empower the youths.
“We should not export our cassava, instead, we should encourage other countries that need cassava to come and open industry in Nigeria.
“We would not get value for our effort once we start exporting cassava.’’
The station manager said that the world had turned Africa to a farm where raw materials came from “and that is perpetual enslavement.
“There must be processing and value addition in Africa.’’
Adunoye, however, said that the use of cassava in bread baking, pastries and confectioneries would reduce the importing bills of the country.
He added that it would also better the lives of the poor farmers.
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