Abuja: A coalition of stakeholders under the auspices of the National Cassava Industrialisation Group (NCIG) has endorsed the Cassava Flour Mandatory Inclusion into Flour Production Establishment Bill. The National Co-Convener, Dr. Tony Bello, announced that the coalition has submitted a memorandum in support of the bill to the National Assembly.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the bill seeks to provide a legal and regulatory framework for the mandatory inclusion of cassava flour in edible flour production. This initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s policy to promote cassava farming, create a sustainable market for cassava, and address related matters. Bello stated that the NCIG is collaborating with the Industrial Cassava Stakeholders Association of Nigeria (ICSAN), the National Cassava Growers Association (NCGA), and the National Research and Development Partners (NRDP). He emphasized the group’s alignment with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and the 10th Senate to advance the cassava flour bill.
Bello highlighted that the initiative is part of the One Cassava Agenda, a national framework that connects farmers, processors, researchers, and policymakers to position cassava as a key driver of Nigeria’s food and industrial economy. The agenda advocates for collaboration, inclusiveness, and innovation to harness Nigeria’s cassava potential for food sovereignty, rural prosperity, and global competitiveness.
Bello further explained that the mandate is to ensure that the cassava revolution benefits all stakeholders, from farmers to consumers. By integrating innovation, finance, and policy, the initiative aims to drive inclusive growth under the One Cassava Agenda. The strategy includes building sustainable raw material networks through farmer clusters and contract farming, developing efficient processing systems, establishing co-manufacturing hubs, adopting technology, and enhancing market competitiveness through collaboration among investors, policymakers, and private-sector partners.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that during the public hearing of the bill, the Minister of Agriculture, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria to achieve over 50 million tonnes of cassava production annually, establishing cassava as a cornerstone of food and economic security. Additionally, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agricultural Production, Sen. Saliu Mustapha, described the bill as a strategic policy for food security, import substitution, and industrial growth.
