Variability in traditional processing of gari: A major food security product from cassava

Cassava is a major crop for food security in Nigeria and its principal processed form is gari. Gari processing practices were observed in the south-west (Oyo State) and south-east (Benue State) of Nigeria using two complementary approaches: 1) semi-quantitative surveys with processors (n = 123); and 2) actual detailed measurements at processing units (n = 7). Size of processing operations and types of practices differed significantly between the two states. There were also intra-state differences, influenced by ethnicity and customs. Variability of processing practices should be considered while seeking to improve processing productivity and introducing nutritious varieties of cassava to feed the fast-growing Nigerian population.PRIFPRI3; CRP4; HarvestPlus; DCA; 2 Promoting Healthy Diets and Nutrition for allA4NH; HarvestPlusCGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH