A REVIEW OF CASSAVA DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA FROM 1940-2010

This paper summarizes the past and present trends in cassava development in Nigeria from 1940 to 2010. Time series data from many sources in Nigeria form the basis of this paper. The various stages or periods such as the incipient cassava development period (1940 - 1953), medieval cassava development period (1954 -1967), National and International Coalition cassava development period (1970 - 2010), pre-emptive - CMD period, Nationally coordinated cassava project and cassava improvement through breeding in Nigeria. Salient factors that contributed to cassava development in Nigeria government and government policies, financial agencies, research collaboration and other factors that contributed to cassava development in Nigeria were highlighted. The progress in cassava varietal development, coupled with the current government policy on cassava development will soon or later make Nigeria discover an ideal cassava for the 21 st century to enable her feed her growing population and has reserves for export and security. The paper also examines the improvement made over the years that brought about the release of 29 improved (high yielding, early maturing and pests and diseases resistances) cassava varieties in Nigeria in 2009. Additional 4 new varieties were released in 2010 with the collaboration of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and cassava researchers in Nigeria but coordinated by National Root crops Research Institute (NRCRI). Data were also obtained from research findings and regular documentations in research and University libraries in Nigeria.