Akwa Ibom boosts food production with launch of high-yielding cassava variety

Akwa Ibom has launched a new variety of high-yielding cassava for farmers in a bid to boost food production and drive agricultural development in the State.

The event which took place at a privately-run model farm in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of the State and featured the unveiling of improved cassava varieties including “Baba 79,” “Renewed Hope,’’ and “Game Changer,’’ was organised by a private model farm in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the National Root Crops Research Institute.

Governor Umo Eno, speaking at the launch, described the initiative as a practical demonstration of the State’s commitment to agricultural transformation.

He said, “Revolution means a change, and we have been used to varieties of cassava that give us five to seven tons per hectare.

“But with what the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has introduced and the trial has been done in a small farm, several other farms across the states, we are now seeing varieties that will give us up to over 40 tons per hectare,’’

Governor Eno, who was represented by Offiong Offor, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers, adding that with the new varieties of cassava, the output before hectare had been increased and the dry matter content of the new variety has been increased.

Also speaking, Sunday Festus, Chairman of Oruk Anam local government council, said the model farm was established to support large-scale agricultural production and to contribute to the state’s food security drive.

According to him, the farm currently cultivates a variety of crops, including vegetables, tomatoes, watermelon, pepper and okra on a 27-hectare land out of a total area exceeding 100 hectares.

Ukoabasi Ekanam, Cassava Breeding Specialist from the IITA, explained that the cassava varieties were developed to combine high yields, improved disease resistance, superior starch content and better processing qualities for products such as garri, fufu and industrial starch, thereby increasing returns for farmers and processors.

Most of the cassava derivatives available in Akwa Ibom come from other States, a development expert attributed to small holder farming system, which limits the size of a farm to be cultivated by a farmer.

The cassava derivatives are believed to come from Cross River, Delta, Edo and Benue States.