The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and SANO Food Limited have partnered to launch new cassava seed varieties and organic foods as part of the Building an Economically Sustainable, Integrated Cassava Seed System, Phase 2 (BASICS-II) project.
The goal is to increase cassava output and wealth for farmers while ensuring that Nigerians have significant exposure to organic and nutritious food. As a result, efforts are being made to encourage the cultivation of enhanced cassava varieties and the utilization of locally packaged products in Nigeria.
Part of the agreement is to raise consumer awareness of the recently released cassava varieties while also highlighting the availability of locally produced and nutritious foods to combat malnutrition.
At IITA, Ibadan, the two organizations held a joint public exhibition of food products and cassava varietal displays, with the recently released cassava varieties Game Changer, Obasanjo-2; Hope, Poundable; Baba-70; TME 419; Farmer’s Pride; Dixon; Ayaya; Sunshine; and Fine face among them.
According to the IITA, these varieties produce yields of more than 20 tonnes per hectare, compared to less than 10 tonnes per hectare for local varieties.
Meanwhile, there were fortified Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) Garri, Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) Bread, Lemon Grass Tea, and other processed foods on display.
Improved yam varieties and value-chain items were also on display at the IITA Yam Improvement for Incomes and Food Security in West Africa, Phase II (YIFSWA-II). At the same time, the IITA mechanization unit had locally produced cassava harvesters on display.
Dr. Kenton Dashiell, IITA’s Deputy Director-General (Partnerships for Delivery), said during the exhibition that breeders were making great progress in developing crop varieties but that other stakeholders, such as the government and processors, were needed to add value to the research products.
According to Dashiell, to add value to these crops, the final development requires partnerships and collaborations with the private sector.
He said: “I believe that is what SANO is doing, and I’m sure we will get to learn more from them.”
Dr. Alfred Dixon, Director, IITA’s Production and Distribution Office, described the SANO-BASICS-II relationship as a win-win collaboration in his keynote address.
“Private sector-led cassava development in Nigeria was essential for the transformational change of cassava in the country.
“Together, we will create an economically sustainable cassava value chain where every actor will have space and benefit from cassava.
“We will raise awareness and trigger the adoption of these varieties by farmers,” Dixon added.
The renowned cassava breeder emphasized the importance of using cassava’s potential as a poverty fighter to build jobs, combat food insecurity, and improve its economy.
Solomon Ojeleye, the Acting General Manager of Sano Foods, also spoke, highlighting its vision, which is to provide balanced, vitamin-rich foods.
Turmeric Garri and OFSP Garri, two products produced from research to add nutritional value to cassava, were also listed by Ojeleye.
He said: “We have over 39 products in the market, and all of them are organic because we put the health of our consumers first. We use puree, flour, and roots of yellow cassava. Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato, yellow maize, and other crops for the production of several confectioneries, which include varieties of bread, cookies, and cakes, and baby food.”
Dr. Mercy Diebiru-Ojo, a Vegetative Seed Development Expert at IITA GoSeeed, also spoke, saying that some of the new and enhanced varieties currently being marketed contain many vitamin A. They also have excellent garri and fufu qualities and a high dry matter quality, which are essential properties for food processors, flour mills, and other industries.
Prof Lateef Sanni, the IITA BASICS-II Project Manager, said that partnering with companies like Sano Foods would help advance the cassava value chain.
Michael Abberton, Director of the IITA’s West Africa Hub; Ismail Rabbi, NextGen Cassava Project; and Morufat Balogun, YIIFSWA-II Tissue Culture Specialist; and IITA’s Post-Harvest Engineer, Engr Thierno Diallo, gave a presentation on locally produced cassava harvesters.
