Agriculture
Suspected Vandals Disrupt Work At Cassava Factory
The fabrication of various processing equipment at a cassava processing factory in Umuahia has been disrupted following an attack on the factory by suspected vandals in the area.
The Proprietor of the factory, located at Ubaha in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia, Eze Philip Ajomiwe, told newsmen in his palace recently that the facility was vandalised on January 23.
Ajomiwe, a renowned cassava farmer and the traditional ruler of Oriendu Autonomous Community, claimed that the vandals also attacked and damaged some sections of his palace, situated close to the factory.
He said that the attack had grounded the project being sponsored by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council of Nigeria.
The Tide reports that four vehicles, a computer set and other farming machines, a satellite dish, a borehole and a section of the factory and palace, worth several millions of naira, were vandalised.
Ajomiwe explained that three of the fabricators, who came from Lagos to do the job and also train 10 natives in the skill and operation of the machines, fled the community, in the wake of the attack.
“I had arranged for the fabricators to train some of our people on the job but they had hardly arrived at the palace when the youths invaded the place.
“They were smuggled out of the palace into safety to avoid being attacked by the rampaging youths,” he said.
He said that the fleeing workers had demanded that an apartment be rented for them outside the community before they would return to forestall possible attack.
The monarch alleged that the miscreants took advantage of “a family disagreement’’ between him and his son, to attack him.
He said that he went into hiding to escape being lynched by the “rampaging youths’’.
Ajomiwe explained that he was rescued and taken to Umuahia, by a team of anti-riot mobile policemen, deployed to the area with an Armoured Personnel Carrier, to quell the attack.
He alleged that his assailants were members of a gang that specialised in pipeline vandalism and gambling in the area.
He contended that the vandals took advantage of the squabble in his family to avenge his avowed war against pipeline vandalism.
The monarch further alleged that the vandals were sponsored by his detractors who, he said, were opposed to his emergence as the traditional ruler of the area in 2001.
Meanwhile, the Oriendu Autonomous Community Development Union has warned the monarch’s detractors to desist, henceforth from the plot and threat to the life of its traditional ruler.
This warning is contained in a statement jointly signed by the community’s traditional Prime Minister and Village Head, Chief Paul Anyalewechi and Chief Omeoga Omeoga, in Umuahia.
“We shall no longer tolerate the incessant manufacturing of lies against our traditional ruler. Enough is enough,’’ it stated.
Chief Emeka Ejiogu, representing Umuahia North Constituency in Abia House of Assembly, who was fingered by the monarch as one of his nemesis, denied sponsoring the attack on him.
Ejiogu, who spoke with newsmen in his Oriendu country home on Wednesday, however, admitted leading a campaign for the dethronement of the monarch.
He also admitted that he had convened several meetings in his house in pursuance of the cause.
“Ajomiwe should resign or we will dethrone him through a plebiscite,” he said, arguing that the monarch had become “unpopular’’ among his people,” Ejiogu said.
This the farmers attributed to inadequate pest control facilities, lack of in-depth managerial skills, crisis, Climate control and other factors.
These were the observations of the farmers during the training of 6000 Cassava farmers and facility tour both at Fashola Agribusiness hub and Iseyin.
The training was coordinated by the African Agricultural Technology (AATF) Foundation and National Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia state, funded by Germany based Foundation.
The project coordinator of AATF, Samuel Ogunleye said the training has benefited the farmers immensely.
According to him, ‘the training is designed to benefit 6,000 Cocoa farmers in the 33 local government areas of the state.
‘The programme was incubated in 2023 but inaugurated in 2024. The programme has taken place in Ido and Ibarapa areas with the training of over 1,200 farmers.
‘Today similar programme is taking place here in Iseyin with over 2,000 farmers in attendance.
Farmers are being trained on how to increase their output as well gets it to the market through modern technology.
‘In Iseyin, there is a modern Cassava processor machine aimed at easing the processes.
‘The local farmers have access to the processor at a subsidize rate. Also, the foundation is assisting them at getting their products to the market”.
In his own presentation, the team leader, National Root Crops Research Institute, Dr. Adeyemi Olojede said the training was designed to address the decline in the
production of Cassava nationwide.
He said: ‘The training is designed for the off season in order to allow active participation of farmers.
‘Some of the challenges confronting the farmers are tabled while the solutions are proffered.
On the issue of funding, the University don blamed successive administrations in the Country for paying lip service to the sector.
According to him, the Research Institutes in the Country have not been able to access the Budget in the past five years.
The researchers are using their personal contacts to access funds from local and international organization to carry out research.
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Lagos State Chapter, has lauded the Federal Government’s approval of 57 crop varieties to strengthen agricultural productivity in the country.
The Lagos State AFAN Chairman, Mr Sakin Agbayewa, disclosed this in an interview with the Newsmen, Wednesday in Lagos.
Reports said that in March 2026, the Federal Government approved 57 new improved crop varieties to boost food security, improve nutrition, and strengthen agricultural productivity.
The crops, selected for early maturity, higher yields, and resistance to pests and diseases, include 14 different types of staples, with notable advancements in rice, maize, yam, soybean, and plantain.
Agbayewa noted the approval of the crop varieties would help improve the yields of farmers in the state.
“We are excited to hear about the 57 new varieties of crops recently approved.
“What we desire currently in crop farming is not just about planting, it is about increased yield.
“A farmer can have a plot of land and have a high yield and another can have big plots of land and have a low yield.
“So, if when are talking about food security, it starts from the varieties you are planting and it starts from the seedlings”, Agbayewa said.
He described the introduction of the crops as a new development for crop cultivation.
“This newly approved 57 crop varieties should however be popularised among local farmers because not everyone is aware of this latest development.
“There are lots of issues currently affecting the cultivation of crops and the development of improved crop varieties will help the farmer’s productivity.
“Issues such as climate change effects, inconsistent rainfall patterns and weather clash among others are affecting farmers’ yield,” he said.
Agbayewa said there should be massive advocacy of the approved crop varieties across the board for farmers, adding, “The government is now waking up to their responsibility. So, we are”
The event, with the theme “Aligning Science, Enterprise, and Policy to Scale Insect-based Feed Solutions,” brought together policymakers, researchers, regulators, private investors, and BSFL farming entrepreneurs to map out strategies for integrating insect protein into Nigeria’s agricultural system.
According to him, black soldier fly larvae can feed on organic waste including market and kitchen refuse and develop into high-protein feed within 10 to 14 days.
“It contains about 40 to 45 per cent protein, making it a viable alternative to some protein source feed ingredients in poultry, fish, and pig feed ration if produced sustainably” he said.
Amole noted growing interest from feed manufacturers, stressing that supply, not demand remains the major constraint
“The question now is who can produce at commercial scale,” he added.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s comparative advantage, citing its tropical climate and abundant organic waste, which support year-round production without the need for expensive temperature control systems.
He however emphasised the need for standardisation to ensure consistency in nutrient quality and safety across producers.
Also speaking, a Senior Scaling and Innovation Expert from the institutes ‘headquarters in Nairobi, Dr. Ijudai Jasada, identified fragmentation within the BSFL value chain as a major barrier to scale.
“We need a coordinated system that connects all actors and reduces inefficiencies,” he said.
Stakeholders at the Roundtable reached a consensus that ILRI should take the lead in establishing and championing a national platform on BSFL.
Jasada said plans are underway to establish a national coordination platform to improve collaboration, attract investment, and support long-term growth of the sector.
He said the goal is to integrate insect-based feed into Nigeria’s mainstream feed industry by 2030, while creating employment opportunities for women and youth.
On capacity development, Prof. Cordelia Ifeyinwa Ebenebe of Nnamdi Azikiwe University acknowledged ongoing training efforts by development partners and institutions but warned that Nigeria’s regulatory framework for insect-based feed remains underdeveloped.
She noted that standards are still evolving and are expected to align with benchmarks being developed by the African Organisation for Standardisation.
Similarly, Prof. Olugbenga Adeniran Ogunwole stressed the importance of safety assurance and regulatory clarity, warning that policy gaps could hinder large-scale adoption.
He identified key challenges, including variability in nutrient composition, digestibility concerns linked to chitin content, and relatively high production costs.
A BSFL producer, Mr. Kolawole Ogunleye, said large-scale production remains difficult due to limited access to equipment, financing, and infrastructure, adding, “The process is labour-intensive, and most of the equipment is still imported,” he said.
From the private sector, Mr. John Amole, Country Representative of New Generation Nutrition (NGN), described insect protein as a growing but still underutilised solution in Nigeria.
He noted that although insect meal has been approved as a feed ingredient, it has yet to gain widespread market acceptance.
“There is interest, but the ecosystem is still developing, and there are no guaranteed off-takers,” he said.
Sharing international experience, Ms Talash Huijbers of InsectiPro, Kenya, highlighted the success of circular economy models that convert organic waste into protein and fertiliser.
The roundtable concluded with key recommendations, including the establishment of a clear legal framework for insect-based feed, financial incentives for startups, standardised substrates, integration into national waste management systems, and increased funding for research and extension services.
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