Starch
is an important raw material that is widely used in the food, textile, paper
and pharmaceutical industries. Interestingly, recent a research by the Food and
Agricultural Organisation shows that almost all starch varieties can be
replaced with cassava starch.
In
its latest report on the Global Cassava Market Study, published in
www.fao.org/dorcrep, the FAO declares that global demand for cassava starch
will increase at an annual rate of 3.1 per cent, while regional growth rates
are expected to rise by 4.2 per cent in Asia; 3.4 per cent in Latin America;
and 2.3 per cent in Africa.
The
report notes, Local processing of native
cassava starch is an attractive option because it offers a means of converting
a relatively low cost raw material into a high value product, which can readily
substitute for imported starch.
The
market opportunity for cassava starch exists in every country that is consuming
more starch in various industrial processes.
Currently,
Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava, with production capacity
estimated at over 49 million metric tonnes per annum. Experts say that the
Federal Governments makes cassava starch processing a worthwhile venture for
any entrepreneur.
