BY OYE AGUNBIADE

 

Chief among meals in south west Nigeria are meals produced from cassava.

These meals which include Garri, Eba, Pupuru, Fufu and others made from cassava flour are eaten virtually by all and at all times of the day.

Farmers, sellers and consumers of these meals who spoke with Radio Nigeria in Akure said cassava meals would continue to be the king of meals as they remain common peoples food.

Some sellers of Gari at the Adebowale market Akure, Mrs florence Uju and Mrs Bankole Ajenifuja attributed the high consumption rate of Garri to the fact that it is cheap and therefore affordable to everyone

Some consumers of Fufu, Pupuru and Eba said their love for the meals was due to the fact that one can easily and quickly make them especially when hungry.

Cassava Tubers

They however lamented how expensive Garri the common man’s food had become.

Confirming this, the chairman Cassava Growers Association of Nigeria, Pastor segun Adewumi maintained that the consumption rate remained a drive for cassava cultivation in the region.

Pastor Segun Adewumi

Pastor Adewumi however noted that the springing up of cassava processing plants for industrial use of cassava was affecting the price of cassava foods and might tilt its consumption rate to other meals.

An Agropreneur and former chairman Ondo State Wealth Creation Agency, Mrs Bolanle Olafunmiloye however wanted government to ensure cassava meals did not leave the common Man’s table by investing in cassava food chain as well as production of cassava flour.

Other respondents advised government to motivate farmers with necessary incentives to encourage cassava production in order to ensure availability of the Yoruba dominant meals.

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