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Published on
21.07.25
In Nigeria and across Africa, cassava is more than just a staple crop, it is a powerhouse of potential, silently yet profoundly driving food security, alleviating poverty, fostering sustainable livelihoods, and fueling an emerging entrepreneurial and industrial revolution. This ‘white gold’ is key to unlocking immense economic opportunities and building a resilient future for millions.
Recognizing this immense significance, World Cassava Day is celebrated annually on 28 June. This year, the observance marked a significant milestone in the journey of cassava transformation in Nigeria, with a series of engaging and insightful maiden events. These included a physical conference, an X (formerly Twitter) Space session, and a targeted radio campaign, collectively emphasizing the critical role of cassava in driving food security, ensuring inclusion, and creating sustainable development within the agricultural sector.
The maiden conference held on 4 July 2025, in Abuja, was the cornerstone of the World Cassava Day celebrations. The theme; “Farm to global markets: Driving industrialization, food security, and exports”, perfectly encapsulated the ambition to transform cassava from a subsistence crop into a major contributor to national wealth and international trade, emphasizing the entire value chain from cultivation to industrial application and export. Policy stakeholders, researchers, private sector players, entrepreneurs, and farmers gathered to chart a course for the future of cassava.