SANO Foods Limited and IITA, through the Building an Economically Sustainable, Integrated Cassava Seed System, Phase 2 (BASICS-II) project, have embarked on a public-private sector partnership to promote the cultivation of improved cassava varieties and the consumption of locally processed products in Nigeria. The initiative recently kicked off with a “Joint public exhibition of fortified foods and cassava varietal display” at IITA, Ibadan.
The exhibition displayed newly released cassava varieties such as Game Changer, Obasanjo-2, Hope, Poundable, and Baba-70. Other displayed varieties were TME 419, Farmer’s Pride, Dixon, Ayaya, Sunshine, and Fine face. All these varieties have yields above 20 t/ha, unlike local varieties that give less than 10 t/ha. The processed foods on display included fortified orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) garri, OFSP bread, and lemongrass tea.
The deal will create awareness about the newly released cassava varieties and draw consumers’ attention to the availability of locally made and nutritious food products designed to tackle malnutrition.
The IITA Yam Improvement for Incomes and Food Security in West Africa, Phase II (YIFSWA-II) displayed improved yam varieties and products, while the IITA mechanization unit showcased locally fabricated cassava harvesters.