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Value Chain Analysis of the Cassava Sector Report
Value Chain Analysis of the Cassava Sector Report
December 17, 2015
Uganda is the sixth largest producer of cassava in Africa with 4.2 million metric tonnes having been produced in 2010. Cassava is the second most important staple crop after bananas in the country. The crop is grown for food and income and is traded as cassava flour (50%), dried cassava chips/pellets (45%) and raw cassava (5%). Fresh cassava trading is driven by the high perishability of the fresh roots and by the price premium that consumers are willing to pay for the freshness.
Inadequate and poor quality planting material and high prevalence of diseases especially the devastating Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) are the main problems facing cassava producers in addition to inadequate access to finance. With the changing climatic conditions, drought has become a challenge especially for rain-fed cassava production which is the sole production system. Actors shy away from irrigated cassava due to high operation costs coupled with the expected low returns from the enterprise.
Report Highlights
- There is potential for the cassava sub sector to grow exponentially if the various actors in the value chain are linked properly for efficient functioning of the chain.
- Innovative financial mechanisms such as leasing of processing technologies also should be explored to complement provision of these vital services to the subsector.
- Further, the study recommends that cassava producers be encouraged to register with BMOs so that they reap the benefits of membership such as access to market information, capacity building, extension services and postharvest technologies.
- Private sector investment is recommended in various points of the cassava value chain such as provision of trucks for transporting both raw and dried cassava to the main markets.
