The Senate has advanced moves to mandate the inclusion of 20% high-quality cassava flour in wheat used by all producers of edible flour in Nigeria or imported into the country, as a bill to this effect scaled second reading yesterday.
According to the Senate, the use of cassava in wheat can significantly reduce the cost of importation of wheat, which presently stands at over $38 (three billion United States dollars) per annum.
The Upper Chamber said that when the Bill on Cassava Four (Mandatory Inclusion in Four Production) 2023 (58 254) is read the third time, it would encourage cassava farming and create a sustainable market for cassava flour, just as it will also mandate the publication of regulations for the proportion of cassava flours about wheat to be applied in the process of making edible flour.
In his lead debate on the general principles of the bill, the sponsor, Senator Saliu Mustapha, APC, Kwara Central, said, “The Bill on Cassava 4 (Mandatory Inclusion in Four Production) 2023 (58 254) was read for the first time in this hallowed chamber on Wednesday, 9th November 2023. The Bil seeks to provide a legal and regulatory framework for the mandatory introduction of high-quality cassava for inedible wheat flour production and its derivatives.”
Justifying the need for the bill, Senator Mustapha said, “Nigeria, being the world’s largest producer of cassava, has an annual output of over 63 million metric tonnes as of 2021, which represents one-third of the total output for Africa. Nigeria can take advantage of this high demand for cassava in both domestic and industrial use locally and in the industrial market, which is now used for new energy.
“Over the past years, successive governments since the return to democratic rule have attempted to put in place policy and legislation to encourage the inclusion of cassava in edible flour, realising its immense benefit and cost savings to the nation. The use of cassava in wheat can significantly reduce the cost of importation of wheat, which presently stands at over $38 (three billion United States dollars) per annum.
“The prolonged war between Russia and Ukraine had further increased the cost of wheat globally, thereby necessitating the need to seek alternative ways to reduce the cost of wheat and all its derivatives, especially bread, which is a major staple food for the masses in Nigeria.
“The continued importation of wheat has negative impacts on the Nigerian economy, causing trade imbalances, loss of foreign exchange, and fuelling food dependency.
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“This bill, when passed into law, will stimulate job creation in the agriculture sector and increase our market share of cassava earnings in foreign exchange.
“Some of the objectives of the bill include the mandatory inclusion of 20% high-quality cassava flour in wheat by all producers of edible flour in Nigeria or imported into the country.
“Encourage cassava farming and create a sustainable market for cassava flour.
“Mandates the publication of regulations for the proportion of cassava flours in relation to wheat to be applied in the process of making edible flour.
“Provide a tax regime and incentives for producers of mixed wheat and cassava flours and wheat importers who include cassava flour in imported wheat.
“The increasing demand for cassava-based products, both in domestic and international markets, creates prospects for market expansion and value addition. The passage of this bill will enhance the efficiency of cassava production and processing operations, as cassava is a choice crop for rural development, poverty alleviation, economic growth, and ultimately food security. It will further promote technological innovations and improve access to finance and market linkages that can stimulate the growth of the cassava processing industry and create avenues for entrepreneurship and employment of women and youths.
“It will also reduce the country’s food import bill. Enhance the utilisation of local crops, create opportunities for businesses and employment, and genuinely boost rural development. The passage of this bill is also in alignment with the 20% cassava flour inclusion policy initiated in June 2021 by the then Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, now renamed Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.”
