Development of new market opportunities to increase the contribution that cassava makes to sustainable rural livelihoods

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to contribute towards improved sustainable livelihoods, and better levels of income for cassava farmers and processors in rural areas by expanding the range of market opportunities available for cassava -based products, and promoting use of cassava by industry. The outcomes of project R7418, include delivery of validated cost effective technoloqies for production of high quality cassava flour for use in selected bakery products and plywood glue, sugar syrups for food use, industrial alcohol for the chemical industry and a complete paperboard adhesive for the cardboard packaging industry. In the production areas in Atebubu District, the cassava flout processors groups in Watro and Kokofu villages have increased in size from 22 to 60 members (85% women). One group has become self-sustaining with orders coming in from bakers in a nearby town, and a large food processor in Accra. A recent order was worth $2000, allowing many of the processors to open bank accounts and to spend sums ranging from $100 to $150 on their families using income derived from cassava flour. Given that village income levels are <$500 per annum in many cases, cassava flour represents a significant boost to household income. A private sector investor has established an intermediate processing plant for cassava-based products near to Accra and the project team have identified some 20 industries in the food, paperboard, plywood and chemical sectors around Accra, Tema, Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi, Sunyani and Berekum who are interested to buy locally produced cassava-based products. Many of these industries have been involved in project activities (industrial trials) and some have formed links with the intermediate processor. One paperboard manufacturer has started to manufacture cassava-based adhesive using technology developed under project R7418. A combination of industrial trials, training sessions, brochures and manuals, promotional seminars, trade fairs and agricultural shows and media coverage on television and radio and in newspapers has resulted in a steady increase in interest in cassava for non-traditional purposes in Ghana. Awareness seminars conducted by NBSSI attracted 189 participants, and over 100 follow-up enquiries have been received by NBSSI, FRI, MoFA and FORIG. The dissemination strategy of project R7418 has been augmented by integration into the IFAD funded Root and Tuber Improvement Programme, the national business advisory programme of NBSSI, and through circulation of project outputs to IITA in Ibadan and Kampala. Projects R7418 and R6504 dealt with strategic and adaptive issues to prepare the way for uptake of cassava as an industrial commodity. For this reason impact on rural livelihoods was comparatively limited. However, it is clear that conditions are favourable for the uptake of cassava as an industrial commodity. A new project been developed (R8268) that will complete the process by providing: (i). cassava farmers and primary processors with micro-finance and technical back-up, (ii). three intermediate processing factories with financial support for industrial trials and technical support for manufacture of cassava-based products, (iii). technical support for users of cassava-based products, and (iv). act as a mediator within the market system