Industrial Cassava Stakeholders’ Association of Nigeria (ICSAN), is a non-profit organization registered under the laws of Nigeria in July 2016 as a Platform for Conventions and Coalitions among industrial stakeholders in the cassava sector of the country. ICSAN was established through the Convening role of IDH The Sustainable Trade Initiative, as a Multi-stakeholders’ platform for exchange of non-competitive market information, and sector advocacy in industrial cassava sector in Nigeria, to resolve constraints and potentials for the overall development of the sector. The various stakeholders include cassava farmers’ organizations, cassava processors, research institutes, input providers, service providers, governments at federal and state levels, end-users of cassava products, civil societies and development organizations among others.
ICSAN is supported by IDH The Sustainable Trade Initiative through its Cassava Program and Grow Africa.
Our Objectives
1. To create a platform for Stakeholders in the commercial cassava sector to exchange information, education and learning, at national and international levels, that will unlock constraints and potentials for the overall development of the sector.
2. To develop and facilitate projects and programs capable of accelerating the sustainable and inclusive development of the Industrial Cassava value chain in Nigeria.
3. To engage in policy advocacy at state and Federal levels for conducive business environment for the rapid development of the Industrial Cassava sector that will empower Stakeholders to access domestic and international market opportunities.
4. To increase participatory entrepreneurship by engaging in seminars geared towards sensitizing the Nigerian public on the economies of elevating cassava as an Industrial crop.
5. To create public-private partnerships and strengthen collaboration among organizations involved in agro-allied activities in the cassava value chain and related issues in improving the accelerated development of the sector and rural economies in Nigeria.
6. To promote dialogue through a yearly convocation of the members of the ASSOCIATION in the effort of promoting awareness of opportunities for large scale processing and utilization of cassava products.
7. To promote the development and local consumption of Cassava products in the macro society through research, sensitization seminars, periodic publications and talk shows with the drive to make positive impact in the society.
8. To carry out any other activities that will generally promote the economic and social well being of members and Nigeria in general.
ICSAN was born out of the commitment to unlock the industrial potential of the cassava sector in Nigeria and achieve market transformation. To achieve this, a platform through which stakeholders interact and achieve common goals for the development of the sector was conceived by some front liners in the sectors such as Mr. Segun Ladele, CEO Goldenlad Nigeria Limited, Mr. Charles Adeniji, MD/CEO Alphasix Limited, Mrs. Oluyemisi Iranloye , CEO Psaltry International Limited, Dr. Caroline Udom of Cemuoa Ltd, Mr. Peter Okonkwo, Dr. Temitope Aroge , Mr. Seyi Oyenuga representatives of corporate organizations such as Dr. Bola Asiru of Federal Institute for Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), Dr Godwin Asumugha of Nigeria Institute for Root Crop Research (NIRCR), Umudike, Sir. Orji Kingsley of Von Foods & Farms Limited and Mr. Cyril Ugwu of IDH, among several others.
These stakeholders had the same goal of creating a clearing house for all economic activities in the value chain of industrial cassava production and processing. This body is to be an anchor through which issues relating to the cassava development initiatives and other similar policy instruments can be best harnessed and domesticated for the benefit of the sector.
Since 2016, ICSAN has grown from an initial handful of approximately 5 members to 48 committed members. With its Secretariat situated at FIIRO, ICSAN has grown to become a formidable platform for engaging both public and private sectors for the benefit of its members.
