By EricJames Ochigbo
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 Convenor, Dr Tony Bello who made this known in a statement on Wednesday, said that the coalition had submitted a memorandum in support of the bill to the National Assembly.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bills seeks to provide a legal and regulatory framework for the mandatory inclusion of cassava flour in edible flour production.
This is in line with the policy of the Federal Government to encourage cassava farming, create sustainable market for cassava, cassava products and derivatives and for related matters.
Bello explained that the NCIG is working alongside the Industrial Cassava Stakeholders Association of Nigeria (ICSAN), the National Cassava Growers Association (NCGA), and the National Research and Development Partners (NRDP).
He reaffirmed that the group is fully in alignment with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) as well as the 10th Senate in promoting the cassava flour bill.
According to him, the initiative forms part of the One Cassava Agenda, a national framework linking farmers, processors, researchers, and policymakers to make cassava the engine of Nigeria’s food and industrial economy.
Bello said that the unified vision of the One Cassava Agenda, embodied a national call for collaboration, inclusiveness, and innovation.
He explained that it seeks to mobilise Nigeria’s vast cassava potential to achieve food sovereignty, rural prosperity, and global competitiveness.
“Our mandate ensures that Nigeria’s cassava revolution delivers real value from farmers to consumers.
“By aligning innovation, finance, and policy, we are driving inclusive growth under the One Cassava Agenda,” Bello said
He said that the aim was to build sustainable raw material networks through farmer clusters and contract farming, develop efficient processing systems.
He said it also aims at creating co-manufacturing hubs, and technology adoption and foster market competitiveness through collaboration among investors, policymakers, and private-sector partners.
NAN reports that earlier at 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, positioning cassava as a cornerstone of food and economic security.
Also, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Agricultural Production, Sen. Saliu Mustapha, described the bill as a strategic policy for food security, import substitution, and industrial growth. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)