Technical feasibility for the establishment of acassava processing facility at Begoro

Abstract

Wilatta Ghana Limited is a prospective agro processing company that is interested in processing cassava roots into High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF), Gari and Kokonte at Begoro, Eastern Region, Ghana for local and international markets. The company contacted The Food Research Institute of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-FRI) for technical advice on setting up a cassava processing facility at Begoro. Preliminary discussions was held between CSIR-FRI and the company, after which an agreement was signed between Wilatta Ghana Limited and CSIR-FRI for CSIR-FRI to conduct technical feasibility for the establishment of a cassava processing facility at Begoro in the Eastern Region. The responsibility of CSIR-FRI was to investigate the technical feasibility of the project. The CSIR-FRI team led by Dr. Gregory Afra Komlaga visited the proposed processing site at Begoro together with the representatives of the company to inspect the site and gather other relevant information on the project. Investigations were conducted on the location of the processing facility, access of the processing facility to power sources, access to potable water, availability of land for the processing facility and cultivation of cassava, availability of fresh cassava roots (raw material), the road network and availability of labour in the project catchment area. Investigations revealed that; i. The proposed location of the processing facility at Begoro in the Fanteakwa District is excellent for cassava processing taking into consideration the fact that Fanteakwa district is the fourth leading producer of cassava in Ghana. This makes fresh cassava roots readily available and relatively cheaper for commercial processing. Begoro is also close to major markets such as Koforidua and Accra that support marketing of the cassava products. There is vast arable land available for growing cassava at Begoro and surrounding communities in Fanteakwa district. ii. Potable water for processing cassava and cleaning of the processing facility would not be a challenge. Although there is no Ghana Water Company water supply system close to the proposed site, availability of boreholes in the community is an indication that borehole(s) could be drilled to supply potable water to the facility. iii. Power (national grid) is available and the main power lines run very close to the proposed site. The power is very stable and has three phases that can power all the equipment needed for the processing plant to function. iv. There are good roads linking the processing facility at Begoro to the cassava farming communities in the Fanteakwa district and adjoining districts. The distances between the major cassava producing communities in the district and the processing site (Begoro) are all within acceptable limits (50 Km radius). The short distances coupled with the very good road network in the district is a good indication for easy movement of fresh cassava roots to the processing facility. v. Fanteakwa district has a youthful population (63.9%) depicting a broad base population pyramid which tapers off with a small number of elderly persons (7.8%). The Labour force (active population) made up of people between the age groups of 15-64 is estimated to be 74% for Fanteakwa district. The level of unemployment leaves the youth and women in the area no alternative than working to survive the growing economic hardship. Accessing labour therefore would not be a problem for the facility since several people need secured job in the area. vi. Most cassava processing equipment are locally available and reasonably priced. This makes it very economical for the setting up of the cassava processing facility by Wilatta Ghana Limited. The equipment fabricators are located all over Ghana and specialized in fabrication of specific cassava processing equipment that are efficient. The setting up of the cassava processing plant by Wilatta Ghana limited could be done by acquiring the processing equipment in Ghana with less cost implications. The above resources and conditions are generally good indications, which give assurance that the setting up of Wilatta Ghana Limited cassava processing facility at Begoro to produce HQCF, Gari and Kokonte would be very viable business