Despite a significant surplus of 668.34bn Naira in agricultural exports over imports, as seen in Q1 2025 foreign trade data, poverty and hunger remain pressing issues in Nigeria. This paradox is particularly evident in the cassava sector, where Nigeria is a leading producer yet struggles with poor market access. Here are five key reasons why this situation persists: Inefficient Value Chains and Post-Harvest Losses: A large portion...
Benue State, affectionately known as Nigeria's "Food Basket" due to its rich agricultural bounty, is currently grappling with a severe issue of insecurity. This instability, marked by incessant clashes and violence, isn't just a regional problem; it's a direct threat to the entire nation's food security. The ripple effects of a beleaguered Benue are felt on dinner tables across Nigeria. Here are five critical reasons why insecurity in Benue...
Nigeria, as the world's largest producer of cassava, stands to gain significantly by adopting some of the successful practices employed by smallholder farmers in Vietnam, a major global exporter of cassava products. While both countries share similarities in their reliance on cassava as a staple and income source for smallholders, Vietnam's higher yields and strong commercialization offer valuable insights. Here are key lessons Nigerian...
In a remarkable display of sustainable innovation and market acumen, Ayosifam, the parent company of AyosifamHub, has successfully leveraged the abundant Nigerian sunlight to dry 20 tons of cassava chips between November 2024 and May 2025. This simple yet highly effective but also proved to be a significant commercial success, with all dried chips selling out within just one month. Ayosifam's approach to sun-drying cassava chips showcases a...
Nigerian smallholder cassava farmers can significantly increase their yields by adopting several practices observed in Thailand: 1.Prioritize Improved, Market-Oriented Varieties: Action: Actively seek out and adopt improved, high-yielding, and disease-resistant cassava varieties recommended by research institutions like IITA and national agricultural research institutes. Crucially, these varieties should also be suitable for diverse end-uses,...
Nigeria stands as the world's largest producer of cassava, a vital staple food and an increasingly important industrial raw material. However, despite its impressive overall production volume, Nigeria's average cassava yield per hectare (around 6.3 tons in 2023) significantly lags behind that of Thailand (20.61 tons per hectare), a global leader in cassava export. This stark difference highlights key areas where Nigerian smallholder...
Nigeria reigns supreme as the world's largest cassava producer, boasting an annual output that dwarfs any other nation. Yet, despite this colossal agricultural achievement, a closer look at the global cassava landscape reveals a surprising truth: other countries, particularly Thailand, are arguably "using" cassava more effectively, transforming it from a mere staple food into a highly valuable industrial commodity. Nigeria's dominance in...
The notion that agriculture is unprofitable, particularly in Nigeria, is a misconception that needs to be debunked. While challenges exist, the reality is that the agricultural sector, especially the cassava value chain, offers immense profit potential – a potential directly correlated with the scale of investment, expertise, and time dedicated to it. Simply dismissing cassava as unprofitable based on small-scale ventures would be akin to...
In the heart of Kwara's agricultural landscape, a quiet revolution is taking root, one small gesture at a time. While large-scale machinery and advanced irrigation often dominate discussions about agricultural development, for hundreds of female farmers in Kangile, the most impactful innovation comes in the form of a simple, yet profoundly unique, hand glove. This is the story of Ayosifam and how our seemingly small act of kindness is making a...
For cassava farmers in Kwara State, efficiently marketing your surplus harvest is paramount to profitability. While the allure of large-volume sales might seem appealing, the reality in Kwara often points towards a more consistent and strategic approach: leveraging local markets and online platforms. Currently, the landscape of large-scale cassava processors in Kwara State is somewhat limited. This means waiting for those significant,...
