Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a disheartening development for Nigeria’s agricultural sector, more than 30 trucks laden with cassava reportedly returned unsold after delivery to Pure Biotech, a key processing company, bringing into sharp focus persistent market challenges for farmers. The trucks, which had transported cassava from states including Nasarawa, Abuja, and surrounding regions, were sent back late Thursday evening, leaving farmers frustrated and questioning the sustainability of their livelihoods.
Speaking on the incident, farmer and agricultural advocate Jerry lamented the situation, saying, “I have never been discouraged in the farming community like this evening seeing those trucks returning the cassava they brought…my spirit is down! If there is no market, then why are we still producing?” His remarks underscore the emotional and financial strain experienced by farmers when their produce fails to reach buyers or processing facilities.
The incident has drawn attention to gaps in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain, particularly the link between smallholder farmers and processing companies. Despite abundant production, issues such as insufficient storage, weak distribution networks, and inadequate market access continue to hinder the sector. Analysts warn that without robust policies to guarantee consistent demand and fair pricing, farmers may face recurring losses, ultimately discouraging production of staple crops like cassava, which remains a key component of Nigeria’s food security strategy.
Cassava, a major source of starch and industrial raw material in Nigeria, supports millions of smallholder farmers. The crop is used both for domestic consumption and industrial processing, including production of flour, chips, and starch derivatives. Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava, but challenges in market access, processing capacity, and price stability have repeatedly constrained farmers’ profits.
The government has rolled out various programs intended to boost agricultural productivity and provide market support, such as subsidized inputs, crop processing initiatives, and guaranteed buyer schemes. However, incidents like the returned trucks suggest a disconnect between production incentives and actual market absorption capacity, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive interventions that address both production and commercialization.
Agricultural economists argue that policy reforms should focus on strengthening agro-processing industries, improving storage and logistics, and linking farmers directly with reliable buyers. They also call for enhanced support for cooperatives, farm-to-market transport solutions, and market information systems to prevent such losses.
For farmers like Jerry, the immediate concern is practical: ensuring that the hard work and resources invested in cultivating cassava translate into tangible returns. “The government needs to do more in the agricultural sector with favorable policies,” he said, highlighting the urgent need for strategies that guarantee market stability and fair compensation for producers.
This episode also raises broader questions about food security and the sustainability of Nigeria’s agrarian economy. Without reliable demand channels, surplus production risks being wasted, affecting not only farmers’ incomes but also the supply of staple commodities to the wider population.
The return of these trucks serves as a wake-up call for policymakers, agribusiness leaders, and stakeholders across the value chain to implement measures that protect farmers’ investments, encourage continued production, and ensure that Nigeria’s agricultural potential is fully realized.
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