Nigeria eyes domestic ethanol production with cassava

Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Friday, announced plans to develop domestic ethanol production using cassava as a feedstock.

The initiative, marked by a Memorandum of Understanding between Montserrado Investments and the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), aims to establish a cassava-based ethanol plant in Ekiti State.

The project promises two benefits: economic and environmental. According to Nnaji, the plant could save Nigeria $30 million a year by reducing its reliance on imported ethanol. This would be a significant cost reduction and potentially a boost to foreign exchange reserves.

Additionally, the Minister highlighted the environmental benefits, suggesting a more sustainable approach by utilizing locally sourced renewable resources such as cassava.

The Minister said, “This will support local farmers, create sustainable supply chains and stimulate employment across the agricultural sector.

“This will also reduce dependence on imported cooking fuel by developing a domestic ethanol production industry, thereby protecting the economy against global market fluctuations.”

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He added that the government was seriously looking for ways to create dollars through business and thus this project would save a lot of funds that would normally be lost due to imports.

“Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world with 64 million metric tons, yet, we only earn about a million dollars from cassava. However, we have areas like Venezuela that produce about 800,000 metric tons and make more money every year from the crop,” Nnaji stressed.

Cassava is a staple crop in Nigeria, and this project could create new opportunities for cassava farmers, potentially increasing demand and driving economic growth in rural areas.

However, some details remain unclear. The planned plant capacity and broader strategy for nationwide deployment have not been made public.

The announcement signals Nigeria’s intention to explore alternative sources for ethanol, a versatile fuel with applications in biofuels and industrial processes. The success of the initiative will depend on factors such as crop efficiency, cassava yields, and potential competition with food production. Nonetheless, the project is an important step towards a more independent and potentially greener energy future for Nigeria.

Nigeria eyes domestic ethanol production with cassava first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.