CASSAVA OPPORTUNTIES IN NIGERIA - FAO.org

Map 5-3 States Identified for Expanded Cassava
Production
The six states identified for production were also
identified as potential processing sites. The
selected states cover the zones North Central,
South South and South West.
Map 5-4 States Identified for Expanded Industrial
Cassava Processing
The results of the preceding analysis need to be
assessed in light of data limitations and the fact
that a different set of variables or cut-off levels
would greatly alter the results.
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Nevertheless it is hoped that the approach may be
useful to those trying to identify the best cassava
growing areas or best cassava processing areas.
The addition of intra-state data can assist with the
selection of production or processing data. The
following Map 5-5 illustrates the LGAs that ADP
staff members identified as their best cassava
LGAs.
Map 5-5 LGAs identified by ADP Staff as Best for
Cassava Development
What is interesting to note is that the best LGAs in
Kogi, Enugu and Benue almost constitute one
large area that is rated as being very good for
cassava production.
5.4 THE WAY FORWARD
The Nigerian Cassava Growers of Ogun State
identified the need to reduce the distance required
to move product to processing centres and
markets. They suggested less than a 70 km
radius or maximum of 200 km radius 24 . The
supply of public goods such as electricity, portable
water and a good road system was also frequently
identified as necessary improvements in Nigeria
by those interviewed.
Four ways to reduce transportation costs caused
by road blocks include the elimination of such
blockages, the legalization and regulation of
blockages, the preferred (free) passage of
transport carrying cassava, cassava processed
24 Personal interview 11 November, 2003