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KST Address
P.O. Box 1236, Bukoba - Tz
VALUE CHAIN FOR CASSAVA AND ORANGE FLESHED SWEET POTATO PROJECT- (2018 – to date)
VALUE CHAIN FOR CASSAVA AND ORANGE FLESHED SWEET POTATO PROJECT- (2018 – to date)
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development is funding this project that is addressing value chain for two commodities (Cassava and Orange- Fleshed Sweet Potato). The project is specifically addressing the fundamental constraints that inhibit the sustainable development of market systems for the poor people, climate-smart agriculture practices and mobilization of small and medium enterprise (SMEs) to meet opportunities. To date, total direct beneficiaries reached is 9,345 households.
Over the three year project cycle, from 2018 – 2020, the Cassava and Sweet potato value chain project in Bukoba & Kayanga dioceses successfully took its due course, realizing a flow of quality products, at each thematic group level. The produced products have held the anticipated added value characteristics at each stage of production, precisely the seed multipliers, Root & Tuber producers, Processors and Traders.
Thematic group members were trained on the necessary skills required to perform efficiently especially proper agronomic practices for the seed multipliers, roots and tubers producers. Processors were trained on the application and running of the primary processing machines, and traders were exposed on marketing intelligence and strategies at least to enable them access both internal and external markets. The trainings were made relevant using practical materials/ products available at farm level and the rural set up.
Seed Multipliers:
During the project cycle, sensitization seminars on value chain engagement for the 2 pilot Dioceses with the aim of extending the number of cassava seed producer thematic group from 13 established by 2019 to 20 in 2020. This included revitalizing the past fields for both cassava and OFSP seeds.
Supportive technologies and training on proper agronomic practices have been a pre – requisite and were administered alongside every step of value chain development and this enabled the respective members to have quality seeds certified by the respective governing bodies TOSCI (Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute).
Over the period of the project, 40 Kolping Families have actively engaged in seed production, with over 32 acres of cassava and 10.5 acres of OFSP ready to be sold to roots and tubers producers.
Roots and Tubers Producers:
As with seed multipliers, roots and tuber producers were also trained on proper agronomic practices which enable them to increase cassava and OFSP production per unit area. As farmers continue abandoning the underperforming varieties, and acquiring better farming skills and technologies, there is a steady increase in acreage for both cassava and OFSP with over 154 acres of cassava and 30 acres of OFSC supplying raw materials to the processing thematic group.
The performance of the roots and tubers thematic group is quite important to the seed multipliers, as it can ensure consistent demand below, while at the same time maintaining the supplies above to the processors.
Processors:
In order to maintain smooth running of the value chain, the processors thematic were trained and facilitated with 3 primary processing units which were installed in the Districts of Bukoba (Ntoija KF), Karagwe (Bugene KF) and Kyerwa (Kikukulu KF). The selection of processing sites was based on easy accessibility by a good number of root and tuber producers, location on the road side to ease transportation, minimum costs that will be required for connectivity to the National electrical grid and enough space to establish necessary processing infrastructures.
The unit is comprised of a grater machine (500 Kgs – 1,000 Kgs of raw cassava per hour), Water extractor, Drying unit, milling machine and a shade. During the first 6 months of their installation, the three processing units have been able to process over 115 tons of raw cassava and 35 tons of OFSP producing around 35 tons of cassava flour and 13 tons of OFSP flour.
This has significantly increased the shelf life of cassava and OFSP and giving a chance for the farmers a chance to sell their products when the prices are better. The left - over is being used as livestock feeds and for compost making. The on farm processing has also helped in creating more jobs opportunities to youths and women who participate in the transportation, handling, peeling, washing/ cleaning, packaging and disposal of waste.
Traders:
Although trading cuts across all the thematic groups, it is of paramount importance that there is reliable market at the peak of the value chain. The finished products currently cassava and OFSP flour need consistent profitable outlet so that other chain segments can keep producing.
This necessitated the formation of farmer market networks which are significant by ensuring connectivity to market information for the already big volume of products flowing in the market. The products currently available are sweet potato vines and sweet potato tubers, cassava cuttings and cassava roots together with chips and flour from both crops.
The networks are highly significant to ensure constant two way flow of market information, timely production and supply of products at all thematic group levels.
Market groups have been trained on basic marketing skills, including quality control, certification of the products, transport, branding e.t.c. This has enabled the selling of over 82 tons of cassava flour and 16 tons of OFSP flour both locally (Kagera region) and other distant regions specifically Dar es Salaam.
In order to facilitate the trading value chain segment, Financial accessibility has been enhanced by joining small SACCO’s groups into parish and in some areas into Diocesan SACCOS. These large membership composed groups have served in accumulation of large amounts of money thereby stimulating entrepreneurship morale of small enterprises owned by youth and women
Distributing seeds to the farmers
Aerial view of Cassava farms in Kikukuru Kolping familes
Special Solar dryer for drying Cassava and Sweet Potatoes before extracting flour
Outside look of the Solar dryer
Kolping Biscuit made of Cassava flour
Kolping Cassava flour
Kikukuru Kolping family in Mabila Parish Cassava flour machine.
Cultivating joy in every step of the value chain! Women with radiant smiles as they skillfully peel cassava, gearing up for the extraction of cassava flour.
