700 bundles of cassava stems released to Kebbi, Sokoto farmers

Kebbi and Sokoto States cassava farmers have benefitted from the 1,700 bundles of cassava stems distributed by the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase 1 (ATASP-1) to boost cassava production in the two states.  The cassava variety that was distributed to the farmers and association of cassava growers in the states are said to be […]

Kebbi and Sokoto States cassava farmers have benefitted from the 1,700 bundles of cassava stems distributed by the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase 1 (ATASP-1) to boost cassava production in the two states.

 The cassava variety that was distributed to the farmers and association of cassava growers in the states are said to be of higher yield, higher starch content and its maturity period is 12 months.

Speaking during the handing over of the cassava stems to the Kebbi State Cassava Growers Association in Kalgo area of the state, ATASP-1 Zonal Coordinator for Kebbi and Sokoto States, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar Dogondaji said the cassava stems would also be distributed to all ATASP-1 participating local government areas of Argungu, Bagudo, Birnin  Kebbi, Dandi, Suru, Shanga, Ngaski in Kebbi, Kware in Sokoto and four other local governments areas of Gwandu, Kalgo, Tambuwal and Shagari that were already producing cassava in both Kebbi and Sokoto respectively.

He added that farmers and members of the communities would be trained on cassava GAP on how to process the cassava to gari and other diversified food products for better utilization.

The ATASP-1 coordinator said Kebbi and Sokoto were known for sorghums and rice production but cassava production was demonstrated to them in anticipation that in few years to come cassava production would have expanded in the two states.  “The stems would be tributed to them so that by next year they won’t have to go anywhere to look for cassava stems,” he said.

He said the state farmers were known to be producing cassava for sustainability.” 

Now we want them to go into full production for local and export. In the next five years Kebbi and Sokoto will be major producers of cassava in the country,” he added.

Earlier, the state chairman of cassava growers association, Pharmacist Hussaini Abdullahi, said the initiative would boost cassava production in Kebbi State.