NewStats: 3,261,361 , 8,173,784 topics. Date: Thursday, 29 May 2025 at 12:41 AM 4i4t2y

The Senate has advanced moves to mandate the inclusion of 20% high-quality cassava flour in wheat used by all producers of edible flour in Nigeria or imported into the country, as a bill to this effect scaled second reading yesterday.

According to the Senate, the use of cassava in wheat can significantly reduce the cost of importation of wheat, which presently stands at over $38 (three billion United States dollars) per annum.

The Upper Chamber said that when the Bill on Cassava Four (Mandatory Inclusion in Four Production) 2023 (58 254) is read the third time, it would encourage cassava farming and create a sustainable market for cassava flour, just as it will also mandate the publication of regulations for the proportion of cassava flours about wheat to be applied in the process of making edible flour.

In his lead debate on the general principles of the bill, the sponsor, Senator Saliu Mustapha, APC, Kwara Central, said, “The Bill on Cassava 4 (Mandatory Inclusion in Four Production) 2023 (58 254) was read for the first time in this hallowed chamber on Wednesday, 9th November 2023. The Bil seeks to provide a legal and regulatory framework for the mandatory introduction of high-quality cassava for inedible wheat flour production and its derivatives.”

Justifying the need for the bill, Senator Mustapha said, “Nigeria, being the world’s largest producer of cassava, has an annual output of over 63 million metric tonnes as of 2021, which represents one-third of the total output for Africa. Nigeria can take advantage of this high demand for cassava in both domestic and industrial use locally and in the industrial market, which is now used for new energy.

“Over the past years, successive governments since the return to democratic rule have attempted to put in place policy and legislation to encourage the inclusion of cassava in edible flour, realising its immense benefit and cost savings to the nation. The use of cassava in wheat can significantly reduce the cost of importation of wheat, which presently stands at over $38 (three billion United States dollars) per annum.

“The prolonged war between Russia and Ukraine had further increased the cost of wheat globally, thereby necessitating the need to seek alternative ways to reduce the cost of wheat and all its derivatives, especially bread, which is a major staple food for the masses in Nigeria.

“The continued importation of wheat has negative impacts on the Nigerian economy, causing trade imbalances, loss of foreign exchange, and fuelling food dependency.

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“This bill, when ed into law, will stimulate job creation in the agriculture sector and increase our market share of cassava earnings in foreign exchange.

“Some of the objectives of the bill include the mandatory inclusion of 20% high-quality cassava flour in wheat by all producers of edible flour in Nigeria or imported into the country.

“Encourage cassava farming and create a sustainable market for cassava flour.

“Mandates the publication of regulations for the proportion of cassava flours in relation to wheat to be applied in the process of making edible flour.

“Provide a tax regime and incentives for producers of mixed wheat and cassava flours and wheat importers who include cassava flour in imported wheat.

“The increasing demand for cassava-based products, both in domestic and international markets, creates prospects for market expansion and value addition. The age of this bill will enhance the efficiency of cassava production and processing operations, as cassava is a choice crop for rural development, poverty alleviation, economic growth, and ultimately food security. It will further promote technological innovations and improve access to finance and market linkages that can stimulate the growth of the cassava processing industry and create avenues for entrepreneurship and employment of women and youths.

“It will also reduce the country’s food import bill. Enhance the utilisation of local crops, create opportunities for businesses and employment, and genuinely boost rural development. The age of this bill is also in alignment with the 20% cassava flour inclusion policy initiated in June 2021 by the then Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, now renamed Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/11/senate-moves-to-mandate-20-cassava-flour-inclusion-in-wheat-products

peekspot:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/11/senate-moves-to-mandate-20-cassava-flour-inclusion-in-wheat-products

If them never kill one Nigeria senator, the rest no go learn.....

When will they start the process of ing a bill that the federal government should be sharing every money Nigeria derives to every citizen so that everybody will develop themself since goverment is finding it difficult to develop for everyone?


Which kind bill be this?....

This is a good news for cassava farmers across the country.

The farmers will make more money

Hmmmm. Foofoo and garri will become more expensive because of increase in demand.
Chai!

Olusegun Obasanjo started it in his time. W as the policy abandoned when he left office?

These useless jokers.

This cassava flour inclusion policy is a smart move! With the rising cost of wheat, adding 20% cassava flour can help stabilize bread prices and boost local agriculture. It’s time we embrace our homegrown resources instead of relying on imports. By the way, I deal on shared apartments in Lekki for anyone looking to split rent or find short lets. Also, if you have an extra room or need a space for your business, hit me up! My services are strictly for Lekki and surrounding areas. Let’s make living and working easier together!

Lol... This Senate no just get work.

I honestly don't get what they are being heavily paid to do exactly.

Soon, they will embark on their 3rd paid leave for the year.

How is this different from what GEJ proposed and you all laughed at him.. 🤔🤔

This country ehh

Bravo

Possibility of implementation is very low...Nigeria has been on this path before.

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Which type of bill is this one again.

Next will be bill to mandate Aboki to be adding small salt on our suya. Shey all of us don mad finish for this country!!!

What will happen to those who are allergic to cassava, or those who react to consuming cassava products?

They will eat the bread. They lack clarity of thought.

panpan:
What will happen to those who are allergic to cassava, or those who react to consuming cassava products?

if you can eat wheat you can eat cassava.its actually a good move. If will create employment indirectly.

Clearly they do not understand bread making. Has the sponsor even researched the idea?
Has he checked to see how such Flour will be?
Well I always say we deserve our leaders.

Should this be Senate's decision to make?

peekspot:

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/11/senate-moves-to-mandate-20-cassava-flour-inclusion-in-wheat-products

Senator Saliu Mustapha, APC, Kwara Central, is sponsoring this bill?
Why mandatory inclusion?

Cmanforall:
Should this be Senate's decision to make?

Na wa oo.. I don't understand!

felixzo1:
[s]if you can eat wheat you can eat cassava.its actually a good move. If will create employment indirectly[/s] .

What level of education do you have?

Why not have pure cassava flour?

Don't you know this may give room to substandard baked goods

nautybride:
Hmmmm. Foofoo and garri will become more expensive because of increase in demand.
Chai!

You are not far from the truth.....

Double Wahala for who dey eat Fufu and Garri

Matt290:
The farmers will make more money

Their lunch will not be imported

$3b not $38b

quadraheem:
This is a good news for cassava farmers across the country.

This was what OBJ was upon but was abandoned and instead of the Senate to carry out their Own Research and the viability,they just think they will seat in their Comfort Zone and Command such proposition!
-Have they found out the extent of the OBJ's own research over a decades ago?
-How prepared are the usages of Cassava plantation by All the Cassava s ,Producers and converting such into Bread 🍞 Production,and Food Productions?
-What is the amount of Special -Funds to be earmarked to Cassava Producers- to Motivate them into Constant Production or na by Mouth Una Senators,go Produce Plenty Cassava?
This time,Una go Produce Cassava three times before now- to meet the Bread Value.
• If well planned and meticulously prepares ,Nigeria will be having a good breakthroughs of Raw Materials in Bread Production and we can even produced half of the Bread Materials materials,as time goes on!

osazeeiyeks:
Clearly they do not understand bread making. Has the sponsor even researched the idea?
Has he checked to see how such Flour will be?
Well I always say we deserve our leaders.

Most of them are on drugs.....

By saying they mandate the inclusion of using cassava flour in all the flour products .

SmartPolician:
Olusegun Obasanjo started it in his time. Was the policy abandoned when he left office?

How was it abandoned when Goodluck Jonathan and the Agriculture minister mandated it using an Executive bill?

Ever8090:
If them never kill one Nigeria senator, the rest no go learn.....

When will they start the process of ing a bill that the federal government should be sharing every money Nigeria derives to every citizen so that everybody will develop themself since goverment is finding it difficult to develop for everyone?


Which kind bill be this?....

This should be celebrated

What would now happen to diabetic patients who are on low starch diets like wheats. Adding cassava to wheat appears like a good diet to some people, but not diabetic patients.
On the perspective of creating an export economy for cassava, it seems like a beautiful idea, but visualising it's health implications, it doesn't look good.
He is a brilliant senator, with a business acumen.

Cmanforall:


What level of education do you have?

Why not have pure cassava flour?

Don't you know this may give room to substandard baked goods

You are the one without intellect.

How can it give room for substandard baked goods?

Casava is consumed by at least 150 million Nigerians daily, we practically live on casava.

Some hausa in the North eat raw casava, stop with your white ass worship.

This is a welcome development.