Boosting food security in sub-Saharan Africa through cassava production: a case study of Nigeria

Abstract

The increase in population in Nigeria exceeds growth in food production. This situation poses an enormous threat to national food security in the country in particular and Sub-Saharan Africa in general. The thrust of this paper is an in-depth analysis of the development of cassava industry towards boosting food security in Nigeria in particular and Sub-Saharan Africa in general. The paper argues that cassava which is widely grown in Sub-Saharan Africa with a lot of variety of food derivatives from it can reduce to the barest minimum the present state of food insecurity in the area. It is further argues that this can only be achievable if certain factors that can help to strengthen the expansion of cassava production as a food security crop in Nigeria in particular and Sub-Saharan Africa in general are put into adequate consideration. Some of these are proper implementation of cassava initiative programme, improvement of root productivity, research and development, market expansion and so on. The paper therefore submits that if cassava industry is properly developed, it will not only help to provide affordable cassava food varieties like fufu, gari, lafun, pupuru and others to Nigerians in particular but also contribute to food security in Sub-Saharan Africa.