Abstract

Most food processing effluents are discharged into the environment with little or no treatment. Nigeria is the largest cassava producing nation. Cassava processing is majorly carried out by smallholder processors especially in Southern Nigeria. The effluents generated in the dewatering zone are lethal to lives probably due to the acidic and/ or cyanide content. This study estimated the quantity of cassava mill effluents that is often discharged into the environment during gari production. Projections based on growth scenarios viz: current, low and high growth rates were made. Cassava production historical data (literature reviews/ secondary data) for Nigeria were used for the study.

Results revealed that 57.134 million tons of cassava was produced in 2016 leading to release of about 5.142 million tonnes of cassava mill effluents. Projections showed that before 2035, Nigeria may likely produce at current status, low and high growth rate 79.544, 73.850 and 57.719 million tons of cassava leading to the release of 7.158, 6.646 and 5.194 million tonnes of cassava mill effluents, respectively. After considering the challenges of gathering cassava mill effluents in Nigeria, only 45-65% of total effluents generated could be gathered for large scale utilization. Cassava mill effluents has demonstrated positive effect for utilization through biotechnological advances including biogas, bio-ethanol, bioelectricity (energy), animal feed, enzymes, bio-surfactant, organic acids among other. Hence there is the need for more research into these areas for optimization and possibly commercialization to avoid the attendant environmental impacts associated with the effluents.

Keywords: Biotechnology advancement; Cassava processing; Environmental degradation; Food; Projections