Farmers in Distress as Cassava Prices Plummet

The cassava industry in Nasarawa State is experiencing a crisis as prices have dramatically fallen, leading to severe financial difficulties for farmers.

Numerous farmers who invested heavily in cultivating the crop now find themselves in desperate situations, with a dwindling number of buyers interested in purchasing their produce.

In recent months, the price for cassava has plummeted to N40,000 per pick-up truck, a stark decrease from N180,000 to N200,000 just months prior.

This dramatic price collapse has forced many farmers to struggle just to cover their costs amid numerous other challenges.

Industrial processors and food production companies are the main buyers of cassava in the region, relying on it for making starch, flour, and various other products.

The circumstance is dire, placing a heavy burden on both farmers and small- scale processors.

David Michael, a farmer from Ume village in the Obi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, voiced his discontent with the current cassava market conditions. He stated, “I invested N500,000 in cassava farming last year, but the price has significantly dropped. I can’t sell my cassava at the current prices. I am hoping for a price increase by year-end.”

Michael, who employed laborers for the cultivation of his cassava farm, is not alone in facing these hurdles; many farmers in the area are similarly contemplating abandoning cassava farming.

“A load of cassava in a Peugeot vehicle is now selling for as little as N40,000 to N50,000 based on the variety. Last year, we sold it for N170,000 to N200,000. This downturn has left us demoralized,” said Michael.

Michael has called on the federal government to reassess its agricultural policies, particularly those affecting cassava farming, to motivate farmers to persist with the crop.

“Cassava is an essential crop used for making garri, akpu, starch, and more. However, the current pricing is disheartening. We need help to continue farming,” he added.

Rabi Muhammad, a cassava processor at the Shabu cassava processing facility, also struggles to sustain her business due to the lack of demand for cassava products.

She reported a drastic decrease in sales, with companies that traditionally purchased her products now absent, leaving only a handful of individuals who sporadically buy in small quantities.

“We have a large stock of cassava in our factory with no buyers; our children are unable to pay school fees because we lack funds,” she expressed.

Rabi and other processors are enduring this business hardship, as it has become their way of life even while trying to make ends meet.

“We’re asking the government for assistance. Our processing facilities need repairs, our fence has collapsed, and we lack reliable electricity. We need support to navigate these challenges,” she stated, confused about the next steps.

“If we peel and store it, no one will buy. What should we do?” she questioned.

Rahainatu Gayam, another processor at Shabu, mentioned they paid N70,000 for a pick-up load of cassava, processed it, and transported it to Makurdi, only to have the buyers refuse to collect it due to equipment failures.

The cassava was returned to Lafia, with the company requesting them to preserve it until further notice.

“We are incurring losses. We spent N600,000 on shipping the cassava to Makurdi and N305,000 to bring it back to Lafia. The buyers have failed to purchase it, and now we are in limbo,” Gayam lamented.

Processors are urgently seeking help to remove the processed cassava before the rains arrive, which could worsen their losses.

Gayam remarked, “We need assistance to recoup our investment in this cassava. We are facing substantial losses.”

Reports indicate that the processors are appealing for intervention to retrieve their funds and avert financial collapse.

Additionally, the price of garri has also fallen sharply in Azuba, Nasarawa State; a mudu now costs N400, down from N1,500, and a 100kg bag has dropped to N30,000 from N90,000.

Sahara Arthur, who leads the Azuba Gari Processing Industry, linked the decline in garri prices to the falling cost of cassava, which now sells for N40,000 to N50,000 per load, from N90,000 to N100,000.

Arthur noted that even though the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) training improved their earnings, the current economic circumstances have severely impacted their profits.

“Cassava farming has been our lifeline. We request support to help us through these difficult times,” Arthur referenced the VCDP as crucial for boosting productivity and access to markets.

Furthermore, the federal government, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, has achieved notable improvements in cassava yield among farmers in Nasarawa State.

Dr. Eunice Adgidzi, the Nasarawa State program coordinator of the FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme, stated that the government supplied certified cassava seeds that are resistant to drought and diseases.

The program also conducted training and capacity-building programs, enhancing farmers' skills in cassava production, thus boosting yields by as much as two metric tonnes per hectare.

She articulated that the initiative aims to enhance productivity and profitability for smallholder cassava farmers in the state.