Are you looking for a job? With the heavy duty on wheat, thousands of jobs abound in cassava bread making, which is relatively new and full of prospects. For prospective bakers, the government’s decision to approve N10 billion for the Cassava Bread Development Fund is an advantage, writes AKINOLA AJIBADE
The use of cassava flour for bread making holds a lot of prospects. From flour mixing – bread making- pacakaging – distribution and sales, the opportunities are limitless.
A report titled: An Economic value of cassava flour and bread making, states that cassava bread making has the capacity to create jobs for people. It describes cassava bread making an economic activity for entreprenuers, marketers, among others.
It said skilled and unskilled workers would get jobs through this means, stressing that the job prospects are relative. It said flour mixers, tin cleaners, label producers, drivers, distributors and retailers are going to get jobs as more people go into production of cassava bread. It noted that the nutritional value of the bread is great.
The Minister of Agriculture, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, said the Presidency has approved N10 billion for the Cassava Bread Development Fund.
Adesina said the approval was meant to encourage people to work harder and feed the nation, adding that the dream of being self-sufficient is a task the government must accomplish.
He said cassava bread making offers huge employment prospects, advising job seekers to tap into it. Adesina said the country produces millions of tonnes of cassava yearly, adding that the development has created opportunities for millers to produce flour.
Speaking during the Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing in Abuja, he said the country produces cassava for domestic and industrial use, adding that people would have enough cassava flour for bread making.
He said cassava bread has good taste, nutritional values and appeals in the market, stressing that consumers would prefer to eat bread made from wheat flour. He said it is high time Nigerians were encouraged to produce cassava bread, emphasing that Nigeria has to start somewhere.
He said Kenya is one of the countries producing cassava bread in large quantities, advising Nigeria to take similar steps.
The minister said there are immense job potentials in cassava bread production, if Nigerians can tap into them.
The Federal Government had, last year, introduced some policies to encourage the substitution of wheat flour for cassava flour in bread making. The government, in its bid to promote local production, had directed bakeries to start transition from wheat to cassava flour to make bread. It also provided tax incentives to flour millers. As a stop-gap approach, the government directed bakers to be using at least 40 per cent cassava flour to make bread.
The Managing Director, Best Foods Limited, Mr Emmanuel Ijewere, described the government’s efforts at galvanising potentials in the agricultural sector is as a good development. He added that the sector has a lot of value chain.
Ijewere said cassava bread making is one area where people can create jobs to boost economic activities. He said the more patronage cassava bread attracts, the better for job seekers in the country.
He said cassava bread is better and nutritious, stressing that making cassava bread is worthwhile venture.
He said: “To achieve meaningful economic development, there is the need to promote local production of goods. Since Nigeria produces cassava in large quantities, it would not be difficult for bakers to make bread. From cassava bread making alone, various layers of workers are going to get jobs. The jobs may be part-time or full-time. But what is important is that some people are engaged in productive activities. That is a plus to the labour market and the economy in particular.”
Noting that employment is a global thing, he said it is common in developed and undeveloped economies.
He said: “Nigeria is lucky because there are untapped opportunities across the sectors. One of such sectors is agriculture, in which people can use its products to produce other things and earn a living.”
He said when farmers are assisted by the government, they would be able to produce enough products for domestic and industrial use.
Ijewere, who is a former President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), said the production of cassava bread may be difficult in the beginning, arguing that the end would justify the means.
Similarly, a former banker, Mr Dickson Ayobami, said bread made of cassava flour is not common like those made from wheat flour. He said the opportunity to make money awaits the unemployed in the country.
He said: “I think a resourceful person does not need to go about looking for white-collar job, given the fact that private and public institutions are not ready to employ. What people need to do is to stand on their own. I have heard many people complaining of capital. Yes, it is good to have good capital before venturing into business. However, there are jobs that require small capital. People can start small by getting a small oven (brick or mechanical) which they can use to bake bread in small quantities. At best, they can pool resources together to start cassava bread making business. One person may provide money to buy flour, other ingredients and so on.”
He advised people to look inward and create jobs across sectors, noting that paid employment is fast disappearing.
He further said bread making is the same globally, arguing that people are free to bring innovations to promote their businesses.
He added: “For an average educated person in Nigeria, it is an ideal thing to bring in varieties. He can make cassava bread and spice it with quality ingredients.
“The more he does this, the more patronage and job opportunities he creates. The chain is long and capable of producing many things.”
