Farmers helpless as cassava market collapses

The cassava market in Nasarawa State is in turmoil, leaving farmers in severe financial distress due to a sharp decline in price.

Many farmers who spent lots of money to cultivate the crop in the state are in desperate situations as very few buyers show interest in buying from them.

In recent months, the price of cassava has totally collapsed to N40,000 per pick-up truck from N180,000 and N200,00 months ago.

This total collapse in price has left many farmers struggling to break even in the midst of many challenges.

Industrial processors and other food companies are the primary buyers of cassava in the state, using it to produce starch, flour and other products.

The situation is dire, with farmers and small-scale processors bearing the brunt of the crisis.

A farmer from Ume village in Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, David Michael, expressed his frustration with the current state of the cassava market in the state. He said, “I invested N500,000 in cassava farming last year, but the price has dropped drastically. I can’t sell my cassava at the current price. I am holding on to see if the price would improve by the end of the year.”

Michael, who hired labour to cultivate and plant his cassava farm, is not alone in his struggle as many farmers in the area are facing similar challenges, with some considering abandoning cassava farming.

“A Peugeot vehicle load of cassava sells as low as N40,000 to N50,000, depending on the variety. Last year, we sold it at N170,000 and N200,000. The price drop has demoralised us,” Michael said.

Michael appealed to the federal government to reconsider its agricultural policies, particularly on cassava farming, to encourage more farmers to continue producing the crop.

He said, “Cassava is a versatile crop used for garri, akpu, starch and more. But the current price is discouraging. We need support to keep farming.”

Rabi Muhammad, a cassava processor at Shabu cassava processing factory, struggles to keep her business afloat as the market for cassava products remains depressed.

She said patronage had significantly dropped, with companies that usually buy her products no longer showing up, except few individuals who buy in small quantities at irregular intervals.

“We have a bulk of cassava in our factory without buyers; and our children are at home without school fees because we don’t have money,” she said.

Rabi and other processors are holding on to the business because it has become a way of life, but they are struggling to make ends meet.

“We are appealing to the government for intervention. Our processing pits are in disrepair, the fence is down; and we lack constant electricity. We need help to overcome these challenges,” she said, adding that processors are unsure of what to do next.

“If we peel and keep it, it won’t be bought. What do we do?” She asked.

Rahainatu Gayam, also a processor at Shabu, said they purchased cassava at N70,000 per pick-up load, processed and transported it to Makurdi, only for buyers to refuse to collect it due to machine breakdowns.

The cassava was returned to Lafia, and the company asked to preserve it until further notice.

“We are counting losses. We paid N600,000 to transport the cassava to Makurdi and N305,000 to bring it back to Lafia. The buyers have failed to come for it; and we are stuck,” Gayam said.

The processors are appealing for assistance to evacuate the processed cassava before the rainy season, which could lead to further losses.

Gayam added, “We need help to get our money back from this cassava. We are facing a huge loss.”

Weekend Trust reports that the processors are seeking intervention to recover their cost and avoid financial ruin.

Garri price plummets as cassava cost drops

The price of gari has crashed in Azuba, Nasarawa State, with a mudu selling at N400 from N1,500, and a 100kg bag going for N30,000, a far cry from N90,000 previously.

Sahara Arthur, the head of Azuba Gari Processing Industry, attributed the drop to the fall in cassava price, which has plummeted to N40,000 and N50,000 per load from N90,000 and N100,000.

Arthur said that despite the challenge, the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) training enhanced their earnings, but the current economic situation eroded their profits.

“Cassava business has been our breadwinner. We appeal for support to navigate these tough times,” Author said, crediting the VCDP for improving productivity and market access

Government boosts cassava yield in Nasarawa

The federal government, in collaboration with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, has recorded a significant improvement in cassava yield among farmers in Nasarawa State.

Dr Eunice Adgidzi, the Nasarawa State programme coordinator of the FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme, said the government provided certified cassava seeds to farmers, which are drought-tolerant and disease-resistant.

The programme also offered training and capacity-building initiatives, enhancing farmers’ skills in cassava production. As a result, cassava yield has improved by up to two metric tonnes per hectare.

The initiative, she said, aimed to boost productivity and profitability for smallholder cassava farmers in the state.

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