For many poultry and livestock farmers in Nigeria, the rising cost of maize has become a constant source of worry. As the dominant energy source in commercial livestock feed, fluctuations in maize prices often translate directly into higher production costs for feed millers and farmers, squeezing profit margins and threatening the sector’s growth.
But what if part of the solution was already available, hidden in plain sight?
Across Nigeria’s cassava processing hubs, tons of cassava peels are generated daily as waste. With the right technology, these peels can be processed into High-Quality Cassava Peels (HQCP), a nutritious feed ingredient capable of replacing 20–50 percent of maize in livestock feed formulations.
A Cross-section of participants at the HQCP Sensitisation Workshop in Kaduna.
On March 5, 2026, Propcom+ brought together stakeholders in Kaduna to explore how this underutilised resource could help transform Nigeria’s feed sector. The HQCP sensitisation workshop gathered 85 participants, including feed millers, cassava processors, poultry farmers, regulators, and industry associations, to discuss the opportunities and challenges of scaling HQCP adoption in Northern Nigeria.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Adiya Ode, the Team Lead and Political Director, represented by Mr. Osigbodi Obajulu, the Technical Lead for Scaling Markets, stated that “When properly processed and included at the right levels, HQCP can partially replace maize in poultry diets without negatively impacting bird performance.”
The room was filled with curiosity and cautious optimism as participants listened to technical presentations explaining the science and economics behind HQCP.
“HQCP is not just a substitute—it is a strategic buffer against maize price volatility,” explained Dr. Adebayo Adebola, who presented on the standards and production processes developed by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). His presentation walked participants through the technology used to transform cassava peels into a safe, nutrient-rich ingredient suitable for livestock feed.
Dr. Adebola highlighted the nutrient composition, safety profile, and performance results from earlier trials conducted in Southern Nigeria, where farmers and feed producers have already begun experimenting with HQCP in their formulations.
Building on this technical foundation, Ifeanyi Harry Njoagwuani presented the business case for commercial adoption, highlighting the significant potential within Kaduna’s feed market and cassava production landscape.
“We are not just talking about a technical solution,” he told participants. “We are looking at a market opportunity that can reduce feed costs, create new value for cassava processors, and strengthen the entire livestock sector.”
To help participants visualise the process, the workshop also featured a documentary showcasing HQCP production, tracing the journey from cassava peels—once considered waste—to a valuable feed ingredient ready for commercial use.
As the discussions progressed, participants raised important questions. Many expressed concerns about quality assurance, supply availability, and feed standardisation, issues that often determine whether a new feed ingredient can succeed in commercial markets.
Representatives from regulatory bodies including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) responded by outlining the certification and registration processes required for feed production, providing reassurance that clear standards exist to guide safe adoption.
For many in the room, the workshop marked their first in-depth exposure to the potential of HQCP. By the end of the day, the conversation had shifted from skepticism to opportunity.
Several private sector actors—including Premier Feed Mill, Biotin, Nutriment Feeds, Super Care Feeds, and Pullus Africa—expressed interest in participating in upcoming pilot activities designed to test HQCP-based feed formulations under commercial conditions.
Industry associations representing toll millers and cassava growers also signaled their willingness to support the initiative by helping to build supply linkages between cassava processors and feed manufacturers.
For Propcom+, the workshop represents an important step toward catalysing systemic change in Nigeria’s feed market. By connecting cassava processors, feed millers, farmers, and regulators, the programme hopes to create a stronger and more resilient feed supply system—one that reduces reliance on maize while unlocking new economic opportunities along the cassava value chain.
If successful, the adoption of HQCP could mean lower feed costs for poultry and livestock farmers, increased income opportunities for cassava processors, and a more stable livestock sector capable of withstanding market shocks.
What once appeared to be agricultural waste could soon become a key ingredient in the future of Nigeria’s livestock industry.
