World Cassava Day: Expert advocates value addition
The Chief Innovation and Commercialisation Officer of Matna Foods Limited, Dr Tony Bello, has urged stakeholders to prioritise industrial value creation in Nigeria’s cassava sector.
Bello made the call in a statement on Saturday to commemorate the 2026 World Cassava Day.
He said Nigeria’s position as the world’s largest cassava producer offers opportunities for industrial growth, manufacturing expansion and export development.
According to him, producing over 60 million metric tonnes yearly has not translated into broad-based economic prosperity.
“The future of cassava is not simply more production. The future of cassava is what it is becoming,” he said.
Bello said cassava is evolving beyond a staple food into industrial raw materials, specialty starches, functional ingredients, nutrition products, biomaterials and renewable energy solutions.
He described cassava industrialisation as a transition from food security to economic security through innovation-driven manufacturing.
Bello cited investments by Agbeyewa Farms, Matna Foods and Cavista Holdings as examples of integrated cassava value chain development.
He said Agbeyewa Farms secures feedstock, while Matna Foods expands processing capacity and Cavista Holdings provides governance, innovation and commercialisation expertise.
According to him, agriculture, science, engineering and market development must work together to unlock cassava’s economic potential.
“The opportunity before Nigeria is much larger than cassava production,” Bello said.
He said Nigeria could replace billions of dollars’ worth of imported food ingredients, starches, sweeteners, bakery systems and packaged foods with locally manufactured alternatives.
Bello identified research, engineering, commercialisation, private investment and supportive government policies as critical drivers of sectoral growth.
He also called for stronger integration across seed development, mechanisation, processing, logistics, manufacturing and export promotion.
According to him, the sector should be assessed by value created, jobs generated, exports expanded and lives transformed.
Bello said the vision involves farmers, researchers, processors, investors, policymakers, financial institutions and development partners.
He said World Cassava Day reminds African countries that globally competitive industries can emerge from indigenous natural resources.
According to him, science, entrepreneurship and investment can transform agriculture into manufacturing and sustainable prosperity.
“Ultimately, the future of cassava is not cassava. The future of cassava is what cassava becomes,” Bello said.
He urged stakeholders to collaborate in building a cassava industry that creates jobs, expands exports and drives sustainable economic growth.
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