Federal Government report has it that Nigeria has been producing 45 million metric tonnes of cassava, estimated at about $18bn every year but is not an active player in cassava trade in the international market.
Niyi Adebayo, The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, made this known while hosting the organising committee of PAC Africa Expo and Conference led by the Chief Executive Officer, BKG Exhibitions, Ifeanyichukwu Agwu.
Adebayo said cassava and oil palm were strategic commodities in Nigeria’s quest for growth and development of the non-oil sector of the economy and required the right attention from both public and private sector operators.
He was quoted in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the Media Consultant to BKG Exhibitions, Chidiebere Ugwu, as saying, “Available statistics point to the fact that Nigeria is a leading producer of cassava.
“Nigeria has a production capacity of 45 million metric tonnes per annum, estimated at about $18bn, accounting for a fifth of the world’s cassava production, followed by Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, Ghana, Congo and others.
“However, though a world leader in cassava production, Nigeria is not an active player in cassava trade in the international market.”
Adebayo further added that the Federal Government would partner BKG Exhibitions to organise the international event coming up in November, which would focus on oil palm technology and cassava exhibition in order to unlock the potential of the commodities.
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