Cassava bread can generate N255bn annually for Nigeria, says master bakers

Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria has said revival of the cassava bread initiative bt the Federal Government is capable of injecting about N255 billion into the country’s economy every year.


Speaking on the initiative earlier today, Mr. Joseph Ubah, Publicity Secretary of the association noted that the initiative, which involves the use of composite flour containing 10 per cent cassava flour, for baking bread, would discourage wheat export and promote cassava production in the country.

Ubah lamented the inconsistency in government policies, observing that large consignments of wheat were still being imported into the country.

He said a revival of the initiative was, would see the money being saved from wheat importation used to fund national development projects or tackle other pressing issues in the country.

Ubah stressed that the revival of the cassava bread initiative would boost the economy and encourage cassava farmers to improve their production.

“We have been able to reach a point where a consumer would not be able to differentiate between bread baked with cassava flour and the one baked with only wheat flour, but that programme was later jettisoned.

“If we must progress in this country, there must be continuity in our policies.

“Nigeria will be earning over N255 billion annually if 10 per cent cassava flour is included in bread; Nigerian bakers are even capable of increasing the percentage of cassava flour in bread to 20 per cent.

“Then, we will be talking of generating about N450bn annually, which will be added to our Gross Domestic Product if this initiative is revived,’’ he said.

Ubah noted that that the price of wheat was currently high, adding that the addition of cassava flour to the wheat flour would reduce the cost of flour production and bread production by extension.

He, therefore, urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to revive the cassava bread initiative in order to put bakers back in business.


(NAN)

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