Senate pushes for 20% Cassava inclusion in flour products

The Senate has passed for a second reading a bill that seeks the inclusion of 20 per cent high-quality cassava flour in wheat used in edible flour production across Nigeria or imported into the country.

This initiative, encapsulated in the Cassava Flour (Mandatory Inclusion in Flour Production) Bill, 2023, recently passed its second reading.

Highlighting the economic benefits, the Senate emphasised that integrating cassava into wheat production could significantly reduce Nigeria’s annual wheat importation costs, currently estimated at over $3bn.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC, Kwara Central), explained during the debate on the bill’s general principles that the legislation aims to create a legal framework for incorporating cassava into wheat flour.

He noted, “The Bill…seeks to provide a legal and regulatory framework for the mandatory introduction of high-quality cassava for edible wheat flour production and its derivatives.”

Senator Mustapha further justified the bill by pointing out Nigeria’s position as the world’s largest cassava producer, with an annual output exceeding 63 million metric tonnes as of 2021.

According to him, “Nigeria can take advantage of this high demand for cassava in both domestic and industrial use locally and in the global market.”

He argued that successive administrations had sought policies to promote cassava inclusion in edible flour, recognising its cost-saving potential and economic benefits.

He added that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict had driven up global wheat prices, making the need for cost-saving alternatives even more pressing.

The senator highlighted that continuous wheat importation negatively impacts Nigeria’s economy, creating trade imbalances and reliance on foreign food supplies.

He asserted that the bill, when enacted, would “stimulate job creation in the agriculture sector and increase our market share of cassava earnings in foreign exchange.”

He stated that the bill’s key objectives include, “Mandating 20% cassava flour inclusion in wheat used by producers of edible flour in Nigeria or imported into the country.

”Encouraging cassava farming and fostering a sustainable market for cassava flour.

“Developing regulations to guide the proportion of cassava flour relative to wheat in flour production.”

“Providing tax incentives for producers of mixed flours and importers incorporating cassava flour in wheat products,” he added.

Senator Mustapha also emphasised the broader benefits, stating that the bill would enhance cassava production efficiency, create entrepreneurship opportunities, and improve access to finance and markets.

These developments, he said, would “stimulate the growth of the cassava processing industry and create avenues for employment, particularly for women and youths.”

He concluded by linking the bill to existing policy initiatives, including the Federal Ministry of Agriculture’s 20 per cent cassava flour inclusion policy introduced in 2021, asserting that the legislation aligns with efforts to reduce food import bills and promote local crop utilisation.

In his contribution, the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, said the 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.  Simple, am I right? Very, very simple.”

He added, “It will allow us to allow our farmers to produce more now and reduce the money we use in importing wheat every year. And so, it will help to conserve our foreign exchange. It’s as simple as that.

“It will help our country. It will help our farmers. It’s something we produce everywhere.

“Let’s use what we have instead of using wheat all around, 100 per cent. We can now use 20 per cent and cut the cost of importing wheat to conserve our foreign exchange. It’s simple.”