Nigeria is the leading producer of cassava,
in 1993 – 1995, 84 million metric tons of cassava were produced per year in
sub-Saharan Africa. Of this, 75% was produced in 4 countries; Nigeria, 31
million metric tons representing 36.90%, Congo 19 million metric tons (22.62%),
Tanzania, 7 million metric tons (8.33%), Ghana, 6 million metric tons, (7.14%).
In the same period, 95% of production after (discounting waste) was used for
human consumption. According to FAO the remaining 5% was used for feed, industrial
raw material and export was minimal (CIAT, 2000). Recently out of 186 million
metric ton produced in the world, Nigeria accounted for 36 million metric tons (Tell,
2004) and in 2004 production was 55.69 million metric tons (CBN, 2004). This
shows a slow rate in the past compared to the present times in production but
more
need to be done.
Kormawa (2003) presented what can be
referred to as “middle of the road” estimate of potential demand for cassava
(tons) in Nigeria. These estimates are presented in Table 1.
Table 1: Estimate of Potential/Demand
for Cassava (in what tones ?) in Nigeria Sector Potential/
Market
Food for urban
market 14,157,438
Food for rural
market 4,378,788
Food for export 1,825,000
Food as flour 1,170,055
Livestock 675,000
Starch 335,000
Ethanol 139,347
Total 22,680,628