ABSTRACT:
Cassava is an important staple crop in Nigeria. In order to realise its full potential, it is necessary to process it industrially. It was in recognition of this fact, inter alia, that the Federal Government of Nigeria took the lead and set up the Nigerian Root Crop Production Company, Enugu.The Company cannot operate at full capacity because of a shortage of cassava roots for processing. Our major aim, in this paper, is to identify the factors responsible for the problem of the inadequate supply of raw cassava to the Company and to propose solutions. In order to spread the benefits of this project to small-scale farmers, as well as to minimise the cassava root supply problem, it is suggested that the Company organise these farmers as outgrowers and encourage them to supply at least 50% of its root requirements, through technical advice and the supply of improved cassava stems and by helping them to obtain production credit.
Agricultural Systems 02/1985; 18(3):155-170. DOI:10.1016/0308-521X(85)90029-0