Increasing cassava production in Nigeria and prospects for sustaining the trend

In terms of consumption, cassava is the most important root crop in Nigeria. If is also an important source of cash income, as about 45% of total output is marketed by the producer. Cassava production is increasing because purchased inputs are being used, processing and marketing infrastructures are available, and there is a market for cassava, mainly for human consumption. This market could be broadened to include non-food uses and export, and production could be expanded given the appropriate inputs and extension strategies. Another possibility is to improve upon the existing postharvest technology, making it more suitable for adoption by rural households, Market demand, an efficient input delivery system and the availability of appropriate postharvest and marketing infrastructures will help to sustain the trend of increasing cassava production in Nigeria.