The Nigerian Senate has sought for inclusion of cassava in flour production and its derivatives.
Senate’s decision in this direction, followed passage of a bill sponsored to that effect by Senator Saliu Mustapha for second reading.
Senator Mustapha ( APC Kwara Central), in his lead debate on the bill said the prolonged war between Russia and Ukraine, had further increased the cost of wheat and all its derivatives especially bread which is a major staple food for the masses in Nigeria.
According to him, the continued importation of wheat has negative impacts on the Nigeria economy causing trade imbalance, loss of foreign exchange and fueling food dependency.
Stimulate jobs
He specifically stated that the bill when passed into law, will stimulate jobs creation in the agriculture sector and increase our market share of cassava earnings in foreign exchange.
Objectives of the bill according to him, are (i) mandatory inclusion of 20% high – quality cassava flour in Nigeria or imported into the country.
(ii) Encourage cassava farming and create a sustainable market for cassava flour.
(iii) 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.
( iv) 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 passage of this bill will enhance the efficiency of cassava productions and processing operations as cassava is a choice crop for rural development, poverty alleviation, economic growth and ultimately food security, “ he stressed.
Many of the Senators who contributed to debate on the bill, supported it.
Specifically, the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, in his contribution said: “This bill is all about our national interest. It is important to utilise what we produce everywhere in this country. In the north, in the south and everywhere. Every state produces cassava. It is one of the crops that you can find everywhere.
“Experts have concluded that using a “certain amount of cassava added to wheat is good for us in bread baking. Yes, we need legislation because this thing has been said over and over again.
“However, the bakers have refused to go in line with the study that experts have made about the bread we need to produce in this country. Now, legislation should be enacted to enforce them to use this formula.”
The Senate, accordingly after the debate , passed the bill for second reading and mandated its committee on Agriculture to conduct public hearing on it and report back in four weeks.
Lateefah Ibrahim
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