The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, to provide cassava farmers with easy access to short-term loans to boost food security and expand the agricultural value chain.
The motion was sponsored during Wednesday’s plenary session, by the member representing Oru East/Orsu/Orlu constituency in Imo state, Canice Nwachukwu, who highlighted that cassava by-products, such as garri, had become major export commodities, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings.
Nwachukwu says easy access to short-term loans and modern processing equipment would revolutionise cassava farming and enhance farmers’ income and productivity.
The House therefore urged the CBN to ensure cassava farmers have easy access to short-term loans through the Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry, and others, while also directing the Agriculture Ministry to train peasant farmers in cassava production, processing, and packaging to boost standards and competitiveness.
