By Franklin Alli

FEDERAL Institute of   Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) has flayed International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) over its claim to have initiated cassava bread production.

Reacting to recent media reports on cassava/wheat flour by IITA, the Director General of FIIRO, Dr. Gloria Elemo, said: “It is worthy of note that at no time was the Ministry of Agriculture/IITA involved in Cassava Flour Project, though they have been present at stakeholders meeting as crop producers and crop researchers.

“It is not right for an Institution with no history of conducting research on the topic to spring a surprise on the nation and lays claim to an innovation which another Institution has devoted considerable time and resources to work on,” she told Commerce and Industry journalists in Lagos.

“FIIRO has been in the forefront of the use of Cassava for various food products such as gari, fufu, lafun, chips, pellets starch and composite flour as far back as the 60’s.

“It is FIIRO’s considered opinion that before going public: The technology needs to be demonstrated to stakeholders like Master Bakers, Flour Millers etc and subjected to tests by NAFDAC and SON, economic feasibility of the innovation need to be done to ensure adoption.

It is hoped that this information will assist the Honourable Minister to address the current claim by the Minister of Agriculture that IITA has produced 40 percent Cassava/Wheat Bread. FIIRO made Cassava the Golden crop it is today,” she said.