Agricultural consulting firm Sahel Consulting has launched a cassava production program aimed at bolstering food security and enhancing the availability of food resources in Nigeria. Emmanuel Ameh, a program analyst at Sahel Consulting, disclosed this information on July 17, 2024, during the Farmers' Field Day event at the University of Uyo in Akwa Ibom State. He emphasized the role of showcasing high-quality cassava varieties to stakeholders and the utilization of Demand Creation Trials (DCT) as an evidence-based approach for assessing the sustainability of cassava varieties.
Challenges such as extreme weather, climate change, and socio-economic factors have exacerbated food insecurity in Africa, particularly in Nigeria. The cassava value chain is seen as a strategic avenue to address hunger, enhance livelihoods, and support the rural economy.
Despite being a major staple, Nigeria faces a significant deficit in cassava production due to various production challenges. In response, Sahel Consulting, alongside the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and CEMUOA Limited, has been working on the BASICS II project since 2020 to improve cassava production through the adoption of high-quality varieties in Akwa Ibom State, thus aiming to increase food security and promote sustainability within the country.
Source: agrireviewwestafrica.com