The economic importance of cassava in Nigeria cannot be overstated. Cassava is a staple food crop and a major source of carbohydrates for millions of people in Nigeria. It is also used in the production of various food products, animal feed, and industrial materials.
However, the issue of losses due to pests and diseases is a significant challenge for cassava farmers in Nigeria. Without proper advisory platforms, farmers may struggle to identify and manage these issues effectively, leading to reduced crop yields and economic losses.
Control-D is a platform that addresses this challenge by collating and analyzing data from cassava crop farmers in Nigeria.
Control-D was launched in 2018 by Emelone Tochukwu Edwin with the aim of providing valuable services to cassava farmers in Nigeria. The platform’s services include collecting and analyzing data, notifying farmers of potential threats, and providing advisory support.
These services are essential for empowering farmers with the knowledge and tools they need to protect their crops and improve their yields. The startup is committed to ensuring that cassava farmers in our community experience bumper harvests.Â
What Control-D Offers
Control-D plays a vital role in addressing the challenges faced by cassava farmers in Nigeria. By leveraging data and technology, the platform provides valuable support to farmers, ultimately contributing to improved cassava production, food security, and economic development in Nigeria.
The platform uses this data to notify and advise farmers about possible disease outbreaks and pest infestations.
By providing extension services and advisory support, Control-D plays a crucial role in helping farmers make informed decisions about their crops. This is particularly important for low-income Nigerian farmers, who may lack access to other sources of agricultural information and support.
By December 2025, Control-D expects to have over 5,000 cassava farmers in Abia State signed up to its platform and use the tools and extension services it provides. It also aims to save 150,000 metric tons of pre-harvest losses caused by pest infestations and cassava diseases annually in Abia State. This will allow cassava farmers in Abia State to save $20,000,000 in value each year.
The impact of Control-D’s services on the economy and cassava output in Nigeria is significant. By helping farmers identify and address pest infestations and disease outbreaks, Control-D contributes to the overall improvement of cassava production.
Additionally, the reduction in crop losses due to pests and diseases leads to improved incomes for cassava farmers, ultimately benefiting local communities and the agricultural sector as a whole.
Impacting Low-Income Nigerian Farmers
Control-D’s role in providing advisory support and extension services to cassava farmers is instrumental in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing the livelihoods of farmers in Nigeria.
With over 190 million Nigerians consuming cassava daily, our initiative will produce tubers that can be processed into foods such as fufu, garri, starch, tapioca, and flakes. Additionally, cassava plays an important role in producing ethanol for export.
The platform’s contributions to the agricultural sector have a ripple effect on the economy, ultimately leading to improved cassava output and economic growth.
Control-D’s impact extends beyond numbers and statistics. It directly contributes to the economic well-being of cassava farmers and the overall agricultural productivity in Nigeria. The startup’s movement is geared towards transforming the lives of farmers and contributing to the sustainable development of our community and the nation as a whole.
