As global attention increasingly shifts toward food security, resilient supply chains and industrial competitiveness, Matna Foods has reaffirmed that cassava must evolve from a traditional food crop into a strategic industrial platform capable of accelerating Nigeria’s economic transformation.
Speaking during to celebrate World Cassava Day 2026, Chief Innovation and Commercialization Officer of Matna Foods, Dr. Tony Bello, said agriculture is now recognised worldwide as a driver of industrial development, job creation and national competitiveness.
According to Bello, recent global disruptions including the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts have reinforced the importance of strengthening domestic agricultural value chains and reducing dependence on imported industrial inputs.
“For Nigeria, agriculture is no longer simply about food production. The conversation is increasingly about value chains, manufacturing, exports, logistics and industrialisation,” he said.
While Nigeria remains the world’s largest producer of cassava, Bello noted that the country’s greatest opportunity lies in expanding industrial processing and increasing the value derived from its annual harvest.
“The challenge is no longer production. The challenge is transforming production into value, value into revenue and revenue into sustainable prosperity.”
He explained that much of the cassava industry’s existing processing infrastructure currently operates below installed capacity, limiting economic returns despite significant investments across the sector.
According to Bello, future competitiveness will depend on building stronger connections between production, processing, commercialisation and market demand.
He also highlighted the role of technology and research in improving productivity, noting that Agbeyewa Farms continues to collaborate with research institutions on improved cassava varieties, seed quality, disease resistance and yield optimisation to ensure consistent feedstock for industrial processing.
Beyond farming, Bello emphasised that the next phase of growth will come from ingredient innovation, advanced starch solutions, product development and expanding applications for cassava across manufacturing industries.
He also pointed to the growing participation of young entrepreneurs across Nigeria’s agribusiness ecosystem, describing innovation, mechanisation and digital technology as important catalysts for building globally competitive agricultural enterprises.
This year’s World Cassava Day theme -“From Cassava to Industrialisation, From Industrialisation to Prosperity”, captures the direction the industry must take, he said.
“It requires a mindset shift. We must see cassava not only as a food-security crop but as an industrial platform capable of creating jobs, attracting investment and strengthening manufacturing.”
Matna Foods reiterated its commitment to advancing innovation, commercialization and sustainable processing solutions that support Nigeria’s agro-industrial ambitions while creating long-term value for farmers, manufacturers and the wider economy.
source: Cavista media
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