Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) held The Establishing Ceremony of Nigeria China Cassava Centre & the First Meeting of the Center in Haikou, Hainan Province in July 14th, 2009. The Nigeria delegation ,consisting of 3 members ,and relevant person of CATAS attended this conference.

 

The chief scientist of National Cassava Industry System Professor Li Kai Mian introduced the cassava research in China. Mr. James Awoniyi, the chief of the Nigeria delegation , presented the cassava production and processing in Nigeria. He hopes to use the experience of Thailand’s cassava exporting mode to improve cassava processing and marketing research, which is based on the China-Nigeria Cassava Center. The both sides discussed the development of the cassava center, including infrastructure construction , financial resource, operation mode and management.

 

It is reported that Nigeria is the largest cassava producer in the world, which population is 140 million . The cassava planting area in Nigeria is 4.118 million hectare, accounting for 22.24% of total cassava planting area in the world. Besides, Nigeria produces 40 million tons cassava annually ,which accounts for about 20% of annual capacity worldwide. CATAS has the remarkable advantage in cassava research-- built the only state-level cassava resource plantation and evaluation system in China , this system created cassava breeding and planting technology, produced 13 new cassava varieties , such as South China No. 5 and South China No. 8. The system also established the standard of high efficiency breeding and plantation system,  improved cassava processing technology. There is great complementation in cassava technology, planting and industrialization for both sides.

CATAS signed the memorandum with Nigerian Federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resource in Nov 18th, 2008. The memorandum is to establish the Nigeria China Cassava Center for improving capability of innovation in Nigeria and China. It also build the system of cassava technology transformation, cultivation and RDD&D, boosting development of cassava bio-energy industry and helping solve the agriculture and environment issues in Africa. At the same time, China benefits from that with foreign raw material base.

Original: Office of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agriculture Sciences