Viet Nam News 09-02-2009
CASSAVANEWS. Ho Chi Minh city - Using cassava as a raw material for making animal feed can help cassava producers and processors cope better with the ongoing economic slowdown, experts say.
The cassava industry this year has shown no sign of recovery because the global recession continues to adversely impact the sale of cassava products, they note.
Cassava prices have sharply fallen to the current level of about VND400 (US$0.02) per kg, one third of last year, while the cultivation area for the root has increased dramatically in recent years, making Viet Nam a leading producer in Asia.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as land and environment management agencies say cassava plantation areas have increased sharply in central coastal and highland provinces.
The Viet Nam Animal Feed Association says that using it as animal feed will not only help farmers sell cassava at higher prices, but will also help the animal husbandry sector deal with a shortage of raw material for animal feed.
Viet Nam had to import soybean and corn meal extract worth $1.62 billion in the first 11months of last year, a year-on-year increase of 56.4 per cent.
The agriculture ministry has asked the local administrations to help cassava farmers out of the difficult situation with prices subsidies and rescheduled loans. — VNS
Feb 10, 2009
Feb 4, 2009
Cassava: Gabon seeks Nigeria’s help
BusinessDay - Lagos, Nigeria; February 2, 2009.
Nigerian unchallenged world leadership in he production of cassava is paying off with Gabon now tapping into the nation’s cassava resource. Gabon, a West Central African country which has a rich agro ecological zone, plans to develop its cassava industry by tapping planting materials, skills and information from Nigeria, a Gabonese top official has said.
The country intends to improve cassava production, making it a source of income for farmers and a major tool in poverty eradication.
“The Nigerian government has agreed to offer assistance to Gabon by providing planting materials among others. We also see the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) as an important partner in assisting Gabon in this regard,” Francois Banga Eboumi, Gabonese Ambassador to Morocco who is also the Special Adviser to the President of that country said during a courtesy visit to IITA on Tuesday in Ibadan.
In the last 42 years, the Ibadan-based IITA in collaboration with national and international partners has developed and released several cassava varieties in Nigeria and beyond, making Nigeria— for instance—the world’s largest producer of cassava with 45.7million tonnes per annum.
Despite the offer of planting materials to Gabon, Eboumi said his country would want to acquire the skills and capacity to develop the cassava industry on its own. Said he, “We are not only asking for fish, we also want you to teach us how to fish.”
According to him, Gabon would want IITA to build the capacity of Gabonese scientists and also help the country with improved planting materials and information that would increase the yield of cassava and other crops in that country.
Like in every other African nation, cassava plays a significant role as a source of dietary intake for the people of Gabon. Eboumi said there was need to boost production in order to keep pace with the ever increasing demand for the crop.
IITA’s deputy director-general (Support), Lakshmi Menon, pledged the institute’s support in helping the country in realizing its food security goals.
According to her, the institute’s vision is to become a leading research center in finding solutions to hunger and poverty in Africa.
“Therefore I see your request for partnership appropriate,” she said.
She commended the government for taking the initiative, saying that the development of agriculture would have a trickle down effect on farmers by improving cassava productivity and increasing farmers’ incomes.
Dave Watson, IITA’s director of Projects Development and Management, said the partnership was a good starting point. For him, having the government’s interest and an organization like IITA that can easily tap international assistance is a good start”.
Said he, “Africa has complex problems that plague agriculture and people’s lives. We develop agricultural solutions with our partners to tackle hunger and poverty. Our award winning research for development (R4D) is based on focused, authoritative thinking anchored on the development needs of sub-Saharan Africa. We work with partners in Africa and beyond to reduce producer and consumer risks, enhance crop quality and productivity, and generate wealth from agriculture. IITA is an international non-profit R4D organization since 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and supported primarily by the CGIAR.”
Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava with a current statistic of 49 million metric tonnes a year (FM AR 2007) which is grown by over 40 million farmers in the country. Cassava is fast becoming a potential engine of growth in many developing countries and exerting a powerful influence on world trade, courtesy of efforts of governments and the private sector in developing unique, value-added, cassava-based products for human consumption and industrial purposes. The federal government of Nigeria and other agencies (National and International) have established various programmes for the development of the cassava agribusinesses. These include, the Presidential Initiative on Cassava, the Cassava Mosaic Disease Prevention Programme (CMD), the Cassava Enterprises Development Programme (CEDP), the Cassava Multiplication Programme (CMP), Root and Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP) etc., all working in tandem to increase production and processing, and to promote willful consumption of cassava products through increased marketing opportunities’ Policy focus such as increasing duty tariff or total ban on the importation of corn starch and wheat flour plus the 10-20 percent ethanol blenching policy will further create enough stimulation and motivation for farmers to increase cassava production. thus increasing processing and marketing activities to meet the rising demands from households and industries.
Jan 30, 2009
Indonesia says plans to subsidise biofuel in 2009
Reuters - USA; JAKARTA, Jan 30, 2009 - Indonesia's government is planning to pay a subsidy to biofuel producers starting this year to encourage them to remain in the business and promote widespread use of the alternative energy source, an energy ministry official said on Friday.
The government wants to make the use of biofuel mandatory from this year to ensure the survival of the fledgling industry, an aim made more urgent since biofuel became more expensive than crude oil-based fuel after oil prices dived more than 70 percent from their peak in July last year.
"We will only pay the subsidy if biofuel prices are higher than crude oil-based fuels," Evita Legowo, director general of oil and gas at the energy ministry told Reuters.
Under the plan, if prices of biofuel products are higher than crude oil-based fuels, the government will pay subsidy of 1,000 rupiah ($0.08) per litre on average.
"At the moment, palm-based biodiesel is more expensive than crude oil-based diesel, but prices of bioethanol are not," Legowo said.
Bioethanol is made using both cassava and cane molasses.
Palm biofuel and bioethanol compete with cheap domestic petrol diesel in Indonesia, one of the lowest priced in Asia because of generous government subsidies.
Palm-based biodiesel prices were around 5,800 rupiah per litre on Friday, or about 1,500 rupiah higher than diesel, said Paulus Tjakrawan, secretary general of Indoesian Biofuel Producers Association.
State run PT Pertamina, which sells subsidised fuel products, is estimated to blend 194,444 kilo litres of bioethanol and 580,025 kiloliters of palm-based biodiesel in 2009, a government document showed.
The government wants to make the use of biofuel mandatory from this year to ensure the survival of the fledgling industry, an aim made more urgent since biofuel became more expensive than crude oil-based fuel after oil prices dived more than 70 percent from their peak in July last year.
"We will only pay the subsidy if biofuel prices are higher than crude oil-based fuels," Evita Legowo, director general of oil and gas at the energy ministry told Reuters.
Under the plan, if prices of biofuel products are higher than crude oil-based fuels, the government will pay subsidy of 1,000 rupiah ($0.08) per litre on average.
"At the moment, palm-based biodiesel is more expensive than crude oil-based diesel, but prices of bioethanol are not," Legowo said.
Bioethanol is made using both cassava and cane molasses.
Palm biofuel and bioethanol compete with cheap domestic petrol diesel in Indonesia, one of the lowest priced in Asia because of generous government subsidies.
Palm-based biodiesel prices were around 5,800 rupiah per litre on Friday, or about 1,500 rupiah higher than diesel, said Paulus Tjakrawan, secretary general of Indoesian Biofuel Producers Association.
State run PT Pertamina, which sells subsidised fuel products, is estimated to blend 194,444 kilo litres of bioethanol and 580,025 kiloliters of palm-based biodiesel in 2009, a government document showed.
Jan 23, 2009
Imo Poly develops highyield cassava stems
Written by Chidi Nkwopara Vanguard Online, Lagos, Nigeria,, Friday, 23 January 2009
Owerri—The management of Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Ohaji/Egbema local government area of Imo State, yesterday said that the institution has developed about 43 varieties of high yielding cassava stems for use by farmers in the state. The institution’s Rector, Dr. Anderson Amadioha, who stated in an interview with newsmen, also said that this development was part of the school administration’s commitment to the attainment of food sufficiency and food security in the state.
“We have developed about 43 varieties of high yielding cassava stems for use by farmers. This is part of our commitment to the attainment of food sufficiency and security, creation of wealth for farmers, as well as improving the revenue base of the state”, Amadioha said.
Fielding questions from newsmen, the Rector said that the varieties include those specially developed for pelleting with the aim of exporting them and another for starch production.
“The variety for starch production is aimed at meeting the federal government directive that 10 percent of flour for bread production should come from cassava starch. We also have a variety for garri production”, the Rector explained.
Dr. Amadioha also said that the school is taking time to properly educate farmers on the varieties, pointing out that Imo State Polytechnic has witnessed tremendous transformation since he came on board in 2005.
“Prior to my assumption of office, none of the courses run in the school was accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). All our science based courses have been cleared and about April, NBTE will come for the accreditation of the Business courses”, Amadioha said.
He assured that the school management has put everything in place in readiness for the next visit of the NBTE accreditation team, with a view to ensure that everything is successful.
Owerri—The management of Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Ohaji/Egbema local government area of Imo State, yesterday said that the institution has developed about 43 varieties of high yielding cassava stems for use by farmers in the state. The institution’s Rector, Dr. Anderson Amadioha, who stated in an interview with newsmen, also said that this development was part of the school administration’s commitment to the attainment of food sufficiency and food security in the state.
“We have developed about 43 varieties of high yielding cassava stems for use by farmers. This is part of our commitment to the attainment of food sufficiency and security, creation of wealth for farmers, as well as improving the revenue base of the state”, Amadioha said.
Fielding questions from newsmen, the Rector said that the varieties include those specially developed for pelleting with the aim of exporting them and another for starch production.
“The variety for starch production is aimed at meeting the federal government directive that 10 percent of flour for bread production should come from cassava starch. We also have a variety for garri production”, the Rector explained.
Dr. Amadioha also said that the school is taking time to properly educate farmers on the varieties, pointing out that Imo State Polytechnic has witnessed tremendous transformation since he came on board in 2005.
“Prior to my assumption of office, none of the courses run in the school was accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). All our science based courses have been cleared and about April, NBTE will come for the accreditation of the Business courses”, Amadioha said.
He assured that the school management has put everything in place in readiness for the next visit of the NBTE accreditation team, with a view to ensure that everything is successful.
Jan 21, 2009
Nigeria, China sign agreement on cassava
Daily Triumph - Kano,Nigeria-Nigeria Jan. 21, 2009
(Cassava News) Nigeria and China have signed a multi-billion naira technical cooperation agreement on the development of cassava in Nigeria, Mr James Awoniyi, an agronomist, has announced. He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that the agreement, tagged: ``Nigerian/Chinese Centre (NC3)'' was aimed at assisting Nigeria develop its cassava value chain.
Awoniyi said the five-year agreement, under the Private-Public-Partnership (PPP) initiative, was also targeted at the development of cassava plantations and creating employment opportunities for Nigerians.``It is estimated that more than 80 per cent of cassava in Nigeria is wasted in production and post-harvest activities. ``To save the future of the crop, there is need for improvement in its value chain through increased yield, processing and marketing,’’ he said.
Awoniyi said that under the agreement, cassava resource institutes would be established in all the cassava producing areas of the country, where problems militating against the development of the crop would be attended to.
(Cassava News) Nigeria and China have signed a multi-billion naira technical cooperation agreement on the development of cassava in Nigeria, Mr James Awoniyi, an agronomist, has announced. He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja that the agreement, tagged: ``Nigerian/Chinese Centre (NC3)'' was aimed at assisting Nigeria develop its cassava value chain.
Awoniyi said the five-year agreement, under the Private-Public-Partnership (PPP) initiative, was also targeted at the development of cassava plantations and creating employment opportunities for Nigerians.``It is estimated that more than 80 per cent of cassava in Nigeria is wasted in production and post-harvest activities. ``To save the future of the crop, there is need for improvement in its value chain through increased yield, processing and marketing,’’ he said.
Awoniyi said that under the agreement, cassava resource institutes would be established in all the cassava producing areas of the country, where problems militating against the development of the crop would be attended to.
IITA's purported relocation
Guardian Newspapers January 21, 2009
Sir: I read the story "IITA Relieves 50 of Jobs, May Relocate" (The Guardian, Sunday, 18 January, 2009), with apprehension. Although the story carried some denials of any relocation plan, my immediate reaction is to use this medium to send an appeal to President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to wade into the matter and use his good offices to prevent any relocation plan.
One of the problems facing IITA, it was reported, has to do with paucity of funds, which has forced the organization to embark on massive retrenchment of its staff. The motivation for relocation was not explicitly stated. Whatever it is, it cannot be in Nigeria's interest for the highly resourceful International Institute for Tropical Agriculture to quit the country. IITA has contributed immensely to agricultural development in Nigeria, though its mandate covers many countries in the tropical zone.
Nigeria has been the immediate beneficiary of IITA's research findings and innovations over the years. The institute has developed a series of high-yielding, disease-resistant staple crops like maize and cassava, among others, to make agro-business more lucrative and hasten the journey towards food security in Nigeria.
Its sturdy cassava, for instance, takes only six months to mature. It has developed bio-gas systems for cooking and large scale and efficient palm-oil processor, among several other innovations that Nigerian farmers are enjoying today. Of course, we cannot quantify its contributions to capacity building in terms of best practices in the field of agriculture._
All these aside, it does not send the right signal to the international community, who may not have details of the justification for the planned relocation of IITA, about Nigeria's hospitality and, in fact, seriousness in promoting its status as a regional leader and major player in the global arena. Not at this time when we want a permanent seat in the Security Council. A requirement for that seat is a proven commitment to regional and global leadership.
I, therefore, wish to earnestly and urgently urge President Yar'Adua to get to the root of this relocation story and use Nigeria's diplomatic clout to stop it. If funding is IITA's problem, the president should use his good offices to source funds for the organization locally and externally. If local funding is requested, I shall contribute my quota to it, and I believe there are many public-spirited Nigerians - both individual and corporate - who would gladly do more than I could.
As someone raised in Ibadan, IITA's location, the much I know about IITA is that it is a cost-effective organization, which gives me no worries about security cum utilization of its funds. We must not lose IITA, especially given its capacity to assist us in realizing the goals of agriculture as embedded in the Yar'Adua administration's Seven-Point Agenda.
Femi Meyungbe-Olufunmilade
Okada, Edo State.
Sir: I read the story "IITA Relieves 50 of Jobs, May Relocate" (The Guardian, Sunday, 18 January, 2009), with apprehension. Although the story carried some denials of any relocation plan, my immediate reaction is to use this medium to send an appeal to President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to wade into the matter and use his good offices to prevent any relocation plan.
One of the problems facing IITA, it was reported, has to do with paucity of funds, which has forced the organization to embark on massive retrenchment of its staff. The motivation for relocation was not explicitly stated. Whatever it is, it cannot be in Nigeria's interest for the highly resourceful International Institute for Tropical Agriculture to quit the country. IITA has contributed immensely to agricultural development in Nigeria, though its mandate covers many countries in the tropical zone.
Nigeria has been the immediate beneficiary of IITA's research findings and innovations over the years. The institute has developed a series of high-yielding, disease-resistant staple crops like maize and cassava, among others, to make agro-business more lucrative and hasten the journey towards food security in Nigeria.
Its sturdy cassava, for instance, takes only six months to mature. It has developed bio-gas systems for cooking and large scale and efficient palm-oil processor, among several other innovations that Nigerian farmers are enjoying today. Of course, we cannot quantify its contributions to capacity building in terms of best practices in the field of agriculture._
All these aside, it does not send the right signal to the international community, who may not have details of the justification for the planned relocation of IITA, about Nigeria's hospitality and, in fact, seriousness in promoting its status as a regional leader and major player in the global arena. Not at this time when we want a permanent seat in the Security Council. A requirement for that seat is a proven commitment to regional and global leadership.
I, therefore, wish to earnestly and urgently urge President Yar'Adua to get to the root of this relocation story and use Nigeria's diplomatic clout to stop it. If funding is IITA's problem, the president should use his good offices to source funds for the organization locally and externally. If local funding is requested, I shall contribute my quota to it, and I believe there are many public-spirited Nigerians - both individual and corporate - who would gladly do more than I could.
As someone raised in Ibadan, IITA's location, the much I know about IITA is that it is a cost-effective organization, which gives me no worries about security cum utilization of its funds. We must not lose IITA, especially given its capacity to assist us in realizing the goals of agriculture as embedded in the Yar'Adua administration's Seven-Point Agenda.
Femi Meyungbe-Olufunmilade
Okada, Edo State.
Jan 20, 2009
Gov't, WFP: Northeastern Uganda faces acute food crisis
Xinhua - China, Jan 16, 2009
KAMPALA- The Ugandan government and the UN World Food Program (WFP) on Friday announced that the northeastern part of the country is facing an acute food crisis that is likely to slip into famine if no urgent action is taken.
Musa Ecweru, minister of state for disaster preparedness and relief, told reporters here that the situation is severe following massive crop failure and warned that the acute malnutrition levels are close to emergency.
"When you reach Karamoja (northeastern region) you will see cases of malnutrition, the elderly are in dire need of support," he said flanked by Stanlake Samkange, WFP country director.
The food crisis in the region has been escalating for years and was heightened by the 2007 floods and a severe drought which destroyed all the crops, putting over 970,000 people at risk of starvation.
Ecweru announced that government and WFP will in the first week of February unveil a 64 million U.S. dollar emergency response package that will be used to purchase 89,000 metric tonnes of food.
Editor: Zhang Xiang
KAMPALA- The Ugandan government and the UN World Food Program (WFP) on Friday announced that the northeastern part of the country is facing an acute food crisis that is likely to slip into famine if no urgent action is taken.
Musa Ecweru, minister of state for disaster preparedness and relief, told reporters here that the situation is severe following massive crop failure and warned that the acute malnutrition levels are close to emergency.
"When you reach Karamoja (northeastern region) you will see cases of malnutrition, the elderly are in dire need of support," he said flanked by Stanlake Samkange, WFP country director.
The food crisis in the region has been escalating for years and was heightened by the 2007 floods and a severe drought which destroyed all the crops, putting over 970,000 people at risk of starvation.
Ecweru announced that government and WFP will in the first week of February unveil a 64 million U.S. dollar emergency response package that will be used to purchase 89,000 metric tonnes of food.
Editor: Zhang Xiang
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