DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

CASSAVA SUB-SECTOR ANALYSIS – DRAFT FIELD SURVEY REPORT

James M. Mbwika
IITA Consultant

Singi Lukombo
Koko
Cassava Program INERA

Khonde Mvuangi
University of Kinshasa
DRC

September 01
Table of Contents

Cassava Production in Africa.......................................................................................... 7

Cassava Production Trends in the East and Central Africa Region................................ 8
Sub-sector Advances and Constraints in the Region ................................................ 10
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Introduction................................................................................................................... 15
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The Main Limiting Constraints in Research ................................................................. 17
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Farming Systems........................................................................................................... 18
Cassava Production Levels ........................................................................................... 19
Production Constraints.................................................................................................. 22
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Marketing Chain for Chikwangwe, Cossette and Raw Cassava Roots ........................ 25
Marketing Constraints................................................................................................... 25
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Constraints in Processing.............................................................................................. 27
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Potential Areas for Cassava Utilization ........................................................................ 29
Industrial Uses of Cassava ............................................................................................ 29
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Field Data Collection ................................................................................................ 37
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Production .................................................................................................................. 37
Farming Systems....................................................................................................... 38
Main Constraints....................................................................................................... 40
Opportunities............................................................................................................. 40
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Main Processed Products .............................................................................................. 41
Consumer Preference for Processed Products .......................................................... 41
Constraints in The Cassava Processing..................................................................... 41
Opportunities................................................................................................................. 41
 Processing at Household Level................................................................................. 42
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Human Utilization......................................................................................................... 43
Utilization of Cassava As Animal Feed........................................................................ 44
Industrial Utilization of Cassava................................................................................... 45
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Specific Recommendations........................................................................................... 46
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LIST OF ACRONYMS

DRC Democratic Republic of Congo

SNV Service National Vulgarization
EARRNET East Africa Root crops Research Network
ACMD Africa Cassava Mosaic Disease
CMB Cassava Mealy Bug
CGM Cassava Green Mite
IITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
FAO Food Agriculture Organization of United Nations
Ha Hectare
Kg Kilogram
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report presents information on the current status of the cassava sub-sector in
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). It is based on information gathered through
literature review and key informant interviews with stakeholders and researchers in DRC.
The purpose of the sub-sector review is to gain an understanding of what is the status of
the cassava industry in the country in order to identify; information gaps (areas that need
further investigation), constraints in the sub-sector, opportunities for immediate
investment and research programming, technological and policy environment in which
the sub-sector operates. The report also provides a stakeholder analysis and how the
different stakeholders have collaborated in the development of the sub-sector.

This study is part of a region wide sub-sector analysis for all the EARRNET member
countries (Kenya, Uganda, Madagascar, Rwanda, Burundi and DR-Congo). It is being
undertaken in collaboration of National Cassava programmes.

The objectives of the study are;

• Review and update available information on the sub-sector in consultation with
sub-sector stakeholders to provide valid, reliable and timely benchmark
information on cassava production to consumption system for effective
implementation of EARRNET activities,
• Study the various components of the Production to Consumption System (PCS),
identify constraints, assess needs, determine areas of technological, institutional,
organizational and policy opportunities and purpose interventions to enhance food
security, income generation and socio-economic growth and development,
• Propose research development programmes, coordinate introductions, adaptation,
development and dissemination of end-user preferred market oriented
technologies for a more efficient and equitable sub-sector,
• Highlight access, equity, sustainability and gender issues for technical options,
assess costs and returns of technologies (existing and new) and the potential for
increased cassava trade through increased production, utilization and
commercialization.

Cassava is the staple food for the majority of DRC population. The roots and the leaves
are both consumed and have almost equal importance in the population diet. Production
levels of cassava are estimated at 16.5 million tons from a total area of 2 million hectares
(SNSA, 2000). The leading cassava producing areas in the country are; It is the main
staple food in the Southern parts of the country. Annual production is estimated at 2.4
million tons under an estimated acreage of 358,000 ha. (FAOSTAT, Web2000). Cassava
is a principle crop in all the regions except, North West and Southern Highlands.

Cassava is principally a smallholder crop and is grown as an intercrop with other main
food crops. Some mono-cropping is also done but mainly on a large scale.
The main constraints facing production are; the cassava mosaic disease, lack of clean
planting material, and poor agronomic practices. Post-harvest technologies are also a
limiting factor in cassava production. These include, storage, drying and processing
techniques. Labour intensive processing methods using traditional skills are the most
dominant and there is need for more efficient (less time and labour) consuming methods.

Processing and packaging technologies for export cassava leaves are not documented.
The level of trade in cassava leaves is also undocumented, and this relationship needs to
be established as it has bearing on root yields.

INERA’s Mvuasi station is researching on uses of cassava in bread baking using cassava/
wheat composite flour.

Cassava is marketed in various forms in DRC, including raw roots, raw cassava leaves,
cossette (dried chips), cassava flour and chikwangwe. There are various levels of trading
including, farm-gate sales, village markets assembling, wholesaling in major urban
centers especially Kinshasa and retailing. The most vibrant is that of retailing of various
cassava based products, of which the leading are chips, chikwangwe and leaves. The
nature and level of marketing is largely undocumented.

Although there were a limited range of products in which cassava is used in the country
its level of use is beyond that of any other country in the EARRNET region. Efforts
should be made to widen the range of products in which cassava is used.

In the area of stakeholder collaboration, the FAOR has initiated a cassava working group
in the country which brings together, INERA researchers, other development agents with
interest in cassava, producers and manufacturers of cassava based products. This group
is an important step towards charting out a development agenda for the sub-sector which
appears to be threatened by disease pandemic and lack of clean planting material.

Areas that need immediate investigation include the extend of the devastating effect of
the cassava mosaic disease in the main cassava growing areas, the importance and level
of use of cassava leaves and how this affects technology adoption and yield of cassava
roots, analysis of the marketing structure of cassava and cassava based products, level of
use of cassava in the industrial sector and the potential for expanding its use, and
potential for commercializing multiplication and distribution of planting material. The
level of decline of cassava production, while that of competing maize shows some slight
increase should also be investigated, to gain an understanding as to whether consumers
are switching their preference to maize. COSCA reports indicated that consumption
levels in major urban centers with access to wheat and rice were low compared to areas
that had no easy access to the cereals.
The primary survey results indicate that cassava is still an important food crop in the
country. The survey involved interviews with 161 randomly selected farmers in
Bandundu, Kinshasa and Bas Congo provinces, 95 randomly selected traders, 29
purposively selected processors, 12 purposively selected transporters and 13 purposively
selected input/service suppliers in the cassava trading chain. Traders were used to
capture consumer information. This information was complemented with that collected
at household level.

The survey findings indicate cassava is an important food crop in Burundi. It is third in
importance after bananas and sweet potato. Both cassava tubers and leaves are important
for household diets in the country.

From the survey reports cassava was intercropped with maize, beans and bananas. It was
also grown as mono-crop. The survey revealed that the most important cassava varieties
in the country were, F100, Mvuama, Kinkogolo, Muzesu and Nsubakani. The level of
importance of varieties was not as extreme as in Burundi. In DRC the highest preferred
variety, F100 was only rated as the most important variety by 6.7% of the surveyed
households. The main reason for appreciation of variety was yield followed by taste.

Cassava is used mainly for human consumption although some farmers claimed they also
fed cassava to livestock.

In terms of processing, most of the processing of cassava in the country is done at the
household level using simple traditional technologies. The most important processed
products in the country were flours, chikwaunge, cassava chips (cossettes).

The main constraints facing cassava production in the country from the survey results
include; diseases and pests, lack of planting material, poor infrastructure (roads, transport
and market facilities), high taxes, theft and insecurity.

Cassava marketing is affected by lack of appropriate market infrastructure, market

information and high taxes. The quality of the marketed products is also a problem as
there does not exist quality standards for the processed products. Traders also complaint
of irregular supplies of processed cassava products.

Cassava utilization is affected by lack of nutritional information on cassava, narrow range

of processed edible products and irregular supplies of cassava products in the market.

The country does not have an established industrial base for cassava. Thus the main
promising avenue for cassava in the country lies in promoting it as a food security crop.

It is recommended that efforts be made to address the key problems identified in this
study. These include;

At research Level there is need to continue research and dissemination of improved

varieties that are early maturing, and resistant to diseases and pests.
Production: Cassava in the most import food crop in DRC. It would continue to be an
important food crop in the country in the face of continuing food shortages caused by a
number of factors. Production of the crop is limited by a number of factors, of which the
most important ones are, diseases and pests, shortage of planting material, civil strife, and
poor infrastructure.

Processing: Improved processing techniques for cassava tubers into chips and efficient
drying techniques of the chips. Here efficiency refers to faster drying methods that can
reduce moisture to acceptable levels.

Support the medium and small-scale millers to improve the quality of their processed
products to consumer preferred standards.

Research into and diversify the range of processed products from cassava. Efforts being
made by INERA to process cassava into baked products need to be stepped up and must
involve the relevant private sector players such as flour millers and bakeries.

Marketing: although cassava products are important tradable commodities in DRC, a

number of factors affect the returns to the traders. These include poor marketing and
storage infrastructure, insecurity along the highways, high transport costs and poor
highways and transport systems. Numerous tax points between the source of the
commodities and the final selling point.

Utilization: Unlike some of the other countries in the region where cassava is being used
in animal feeds and in some places as industrial raw material, cassava in DRC is largely
used for household consumption. There was little evidence of use of the commodity in
animal feeds and none in the industrial sector. Since the country is still facing food
shortages, it appears cassava would still continue to play its role in household food
security in the near future.

Policy and Stakeholder Collaboration: There is no specific policy in the country at the
moment on the promotion of cassava either as a food crop or industrial crop. Some policy
intentions can be gleaned from the country’s commitment to research and promote
improved technologies for promoting. Continued government support for the cassava
research with and generous donor input is also an indication of policy commitment to
improve the production of the crop. The FAO led cassava working group though
working without any formal mandate is an indication of national importance of the
cassava crop.

The country however, needs to come out with a well spelled out policy statement on the
development of the sub-sector. Important points should be on research support, post-
harvest technology development and transfer and removal of all barriers that hinder or
discourage trade in the commodity.
The collaborative work of the cassava working group can be formalized and given
mandate and targets of desirable achievements. It should also be mandated to be an
advisory body for the development of the sub-sector at all levels. The private sector
should also be incorporated into the group so that their views can also be considered in all
development strategies.

Opportunities in the Sub-sector: Cassava should be given priority as a food security

crop in the country. To achieve this goal a number of factors need to be addressed. First,
is the issue of availability of planting material of early maturing and disease resistant and
of high yielding. The ACMD has already devastated the production of cassava in the
country based on reports from IITA scientists and national production statistics which
show the crop has declined steadily from about 19 million tons in 1991 to about 16
million tons in 2000. Most this decline can be attributed to ACMD and also civil strife
which has led to displacement of a number of farmers. This calls for intensive research
and multiplication and distribution of planting material. Since the organizations currently
involved in multiplication and distribution of planting material do not have adequate
capacity to reach all farmers, it is suggested that a study on a community based seed
multiplication and distribution system in the country be undertaken to identify and
recommend a viable model for seed multiplication and distribution.

Improving the marketing of the commodity will also ensure that farmers can dispose any
surplus produce and generate necessary income for other household needs. This will
motivate farmers to increase production through increased acreage and yields.

The use of cassava in industrial food processing in the country should also be explored.
The immediate target could be large-scale flour millers. If the millers are convinced and
start large scale milling of wheat/cassava composite flour, it would be easy to convince
the bakery industry to use such flours as long as acceptable standards are formulated.
PART I SUB-SECTOR REVIEW

Introduction
Cassava (manihot esculenta ) was introduced to West and Central Africa from South
America by the Portuguese more than 400 years ago. It is now grown throughout sub-
saharan Africa and is considered second in importance to maize as a human staple,
accounting for more than 200 calories per day per person. Estimates show that about 160
million people or 40 per cent of the population of sub-Saharan Africa consume cassava as
a staple food (Nweke et al. 1988).

Whereas in South America and Thailand cassava is increasing being grown for industrial
use, in Africa it is largely grown for human consumption. World production is estimated
at …… million tons of which Africa produces about ….

Cassava Production in Africa

Cassava is today one of the dominant starchy staples in the diet of people in Sub-Saharan
Africa. Although it is grown in every country its cultivation is concentrated in humid
tropics.

Africa’s production of cassava is projected to grow at 2.9 per cent per year, which will
raise production to 114 million tons by the year 2005. The bulk of the increase is
expected to come from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Madagascar,
Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda. Demand for direct consumption is
expected to reach 85 million tons in the year 2005 with a growth rate of 2.8 per cent. In
Table 1 below production estimates for Africa in the last decade are presented. The data
shows a steady increase in production, from 79.35 million tons in 1991 to an estimated
92.12 million tons in 1999. The increase is attributable to increase in area under the crop
and also improved yields per hectare.

Table 1 Production of Cassava in Africa 1991 – 1999 in MT of Fresh Tuber Equivalent

Area Production Yield

Year (Ha) (MT) (Kgs/Ha)
1991 9,882,080 79,348,242 8,030
1992 10,163,363 81,868,845 8,055
1993 10,044,132 82,678,292 8,232
1994 10,323,385 83,816,343 8,119
1995 10,467,699 85,192,286 8,139
1996 10,225,193 84,587,126 8,272
1997 10,117,313 84,760,847 8,378
1998 10,797,101 90,013,262 8,337
 1999* 10,823,616 92,119,233 8,511

Source: FAOSTAT Web2000.

Note:* Estimate

With increasing demand for cassava following due to; population growth, changes in
food preferences and increase in industrial needs in the continent, sub-sector operators
will be confronted with the challenge of increasing production, improving access to good
quality cassava products and expanding markets, which will contribute to local, national
and regional food security and socio-economic growth.

The use of cassava for animal feeds in the continent is expected to grow at an annual rate
of 1.3 per cent to the year 2005 largely due to expansion of processing facilities to meet
any potential growth in domestic and export markets. Other uses of cassava (e.g. starch
etc.) in Africa are expected to rise at even higher rates: 5 per cent in Benin, Ghana,
Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Some of the limiting factors for increased cassava production in Africa are:

• Unreliability of supply;
• Uneven quality of products;
• Low producer prices;
• Lack of appropriate storage technologies;
• Labour intensive processing techniques, and;
• Costly marketing structures.

Cassava Production Trends in the East and Central Africa Region

Agriculture is the most important economic sector of the Eastern and Central Africa
countries. It provides livelihood to about 80% of the population in the region; it is the
main foreign exchange earner, provides the highest proportion of employment and is the
main source of raw material for the largely agro-industrial sector in the region.

Cassava production in the region is estimated at about 24 million metric tones from a
combined area of about 3.1 million hectares. Of this DRC produces about 16.5 million
tones from an estimated area of 2.1 million hectares.

The production levels of cassava in five EARRNET countries are presented in figure 1.
In this figure, DRC production has been omitted because of scaling. DRC’s production is
about four times that of Uganda. As it can be seen, Rwanda has recorded the lowest level
of production in the last 10 years. Of all the countries shown, Uganda is the only country
that has shown a significant increase in production after 1997.

Most of the decline in production within the EARRNET countries experienced from 1991
to 1996 has been attributed to cassava mosaic disease impact and civil strife experienced
in most of the main producing countries.
The spread of cassava mosaic disease in the lake region was reported in ASARECA’s
AgriForum in the April 1998. The disease had first been recorded in Uganda in 1989. It
spread into western Kenya in 1995, Southern Sudan in 1997 and in DRC in 1998
(ASARECA-Agriforum, April 1999). The mosaic virus has spared none of the countries
in the region. Other contributing factors to the decline in production are lack of clean
planting material caused by limited capacity to multiply and distribute improved planting
cuttings.

In response to this pandemic, a number of programmes mainly donor funded have been
initiated in the region to address the cassava mosaic problem and support multiplication
and distribution of clean planting material. The East Africa Root crops Research
Network (EARRNET) was started in 1993 and its mandate has been in the area of
germplasm development, breeding and support for technology development and transfer
in the region.

Figure 1. Comparison of Cassava Production Trends of Five

EARRNET Countries 1991 - 1999 (mt)

4,000,000
3,500,000
3,000,000 Kenya
2,500,000 Madagascar
Tons

2,000,000 Burundi
1,500,000 Uganda
1,000,000 Rwanda
500,000
-
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Years

Figure 1 above demonstrates the commodity’s vulnerability to pandemics as it happened

in Uganda during 1993 – 1997, when the cassava mosaic struck. As it can be seen,
between 1993 and 1997 there was a major drop in production of cassava in Uganda
associated mainly to cassava mosaic disease.

In figure 2 below a comparison of cassava production in the EARRNET region to that of

the entire continent is presented. As it can be seen, the region is an important cassava
producer in the continent. However, production levels in the region have declined
marginally in the last decade largely due to cassava mosaic disease. The overall
production in the continent has however increased within the same period from 80
million tons in 1991 to and estimated 92 million tons in 1998. The gains in production in
the content can be attributed to research advances in Western Africa in which most
diseases and pests have been controlled and adoption of improved planting material has
been significant.

Figure 2. Comparison of EARRNET to Africa Cassava Production

100,000,000
90,000,000
80,000,000
70,000,000
60,000,000
Earrnet
50,000,000
Mt

Africa
Africa net EARRNET
40,000,000
30,000,000
20,000,000
10,000,000
-
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Year

The increase in production in the continent can be attributed to advances in improved

production techniques and varieties in Western Africa countries.

Sub-sector Advances and Constraints in the Region

EARRNET is one of the networks of ASARECA. It is charged with spearheading the

development of the cassava sub-sector in the region in order to contribute to food self
sufficiency and socio-economic development. To achieve this goal the network promotes
production, utilization and commercialization of cassava through development of suitable
and acceptable technologies for use by the different stakeholders. Its technology
development and transfer mission falls under four categories; research, training,
information exchange and institutional capacity building.

EARRNET works through national research systems and in collaboration with other
international research agencies from which it is able to tap current research
breakthroughs, achievements and lessons from other parts of the world for the benefit of
the regional cassava programmes. This places the network in a unique position to help in
solving most of the problems affecting cassava production and utilization in individual
member countries, including pandemics.

Since its inception, the network has worked towards identification of cassava production
and utilization constraints and developed approaches to mitigate against them. The
African cassava mosaic disease (ACMD), limitation of post-harvest technologies and
marketing constraints have been some of the major daunting challenges facing the
network. The ACMD has been tackled through development and transfer of mosaic
resistant varieties. In this area a new challenge of multiplication and distribution of clean
material has also emerged, as the national research institutions do not have the capacity
for multiplication and distribution of planting material. The national programmes have
tried to address this problem through collaboration with other development agencies
within their respective countries.

In the area of post-harvest technologies, processing and storage technologies have posed
the biggest challenge. In almost all the network countries cassava is mainly processed
using traditional methods. These methods are costly in terms of time, labour and
wastage. The quality control of the resulting products is also problematic. The low level
of technology also implies that the number of products processed from cassava is also
limited at the national level. Storage is a big problem because cassava is highly
perishable. To increase cassava shelf life, it has to be processed such that its moisture
content is minimized. The available technologies have serious limitations in this area.

Commercialization of cassava in the region is limited. In majority of the countries the

share of sales out of the total production rarely exceeds 15%. This means the crop is
largely grown for food security reasons. In rare occasions the crop is grown for
commercial purposes, such as in the DRC where the leading flour miller has a nucleus
estate of cassava from which it grows cassava for milling.

The potential for cassava to contribute to food security in the region is enormous as most
of the countries continue to register food deficits and reliance on food relief from
international agencies. Opportunities exist to expand production through increase in
acreage and improvement in yields. Within the region cassava is primarily a food crop,
being a main staple in DRC, second important food staple in Uganda and Madagascar
and third important staple in Rwanda and Burundi. In Kenya the crop is an important
staple food in the western and coastal areas of the country.

Cassava use in industrial processes is limited in the region but opportunities exist in
countries with relatively established industrial base such as Kenya, Uganda and
Madagascar. The main industrial potential use of cassava in the region is in livestock
feeds, food manufacturing and in paper and textile industries.

Cross border trade in cassava has been reported but not documented between Kenya and
Uganda, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi and between Burundi, Rwanda and DRC. The
main traded commodities are cassava chips, planting cuttings, fresh roots and to some
extend cassava leaves.

At the policy level, there is no evidence that any of the network countries have an explicit
and clear cut policy for the development of the sub-sector. Only in countries where
cassava is a principal food crop such as DRC and Uganda is cassava ranked highly in
research. Most countries neither have a food security policy, making it impossible to
gauge where cassava ranks at the national policy level.

WHY SUB-SECTOR ANALYSIS

The International Agricultural Research Centres (IARCs) and NARS initiated COSCA in
1989 with the objective of improving the relevance and impact of agricultural research on
cassava in order to realize the potential of the crop in raising food production and
incomes. The study covered six countries: Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania,
Uganda and the DRC. Later it was expanded to cover Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Kenya,
Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia. The study was done in three phases. The first phase
broadly characterized the agro-environment (physical, social, and economic), production,
processing, marketing, and consumption situation. The second phase dealt in more detail
with yield, land area, crop utilization (sale or home use, processed or fresh use), and
input/output relationships. The third phase involved detailed studies on post-harvest
issues such as characterization of processing techniques, product quality assessment
(nutrition, toxicity, and quality), marketing, consumption and demand. In Uganda the
three phases of COSCA were implemented.

While the COSCA study provided vital information for decision making, it does not
provide comprehensive coverage on the cassava PCS continuum and linkages and how
they affect the overall performance of the sub-sector. Key information on participants,
processes, functions, and outcomes is also lacking in detail.

The study was also carried out in a period in which reforms in the agriculture sector,
foreign exchange and overall macro-economic setups were being implemented in all the
countries in the region. Hence the outcomes of the study do not represent a normal
scenario, as it was done during a period of change and transition. Policy changes are
likely to affect macro-and micro economic setups, and the cassava subsector is no
exception.

Political instability in the region, which has threatened food production through
displacement of farmers and disruption of economic activities, their effect on research
work and the emergence and spread of the cassava mosaic disease in the region have also
altered cassava production and utilization in the region. The impact of new technologies
on production, processing and utilization of cassava, in the last decade may have altered
its position as food and commercial crop.

Changes in weather which have seen an increase in the incidence of erratic rains,
resulting into failure of grain crops may have stimulated farmers to give more attention to
cassava which can withstand adverse weather conditions, in order to mitigate the effects
of famine.

Since the COSCA study a number of theme specific studies have been carried out in
Uganda in response to research, donor and other stakeholder needs and challenges.
These studies have generated important information for decision making and
programming. However, there is no comprehensive document or documents that presents
the overall cassava sub-sector picture in the country at the moment. Consolidating the
existing information in form of a comprehensive status report was therefore considered as
a first step in understanding what is known about the sub-sector, identifying the key
stakeholders, their expectations and motivations and the critical components and linkages
within the sub-sector.

There is therefore need to update information on all aspects of the cassava production-to-
utilization system, including stakeholder analysis, major constraints and opportunities in
the sub-sector and more importantly carry further the COSCA work by identifying
opportunities for increasing cassava contribution to food security and industrialization
(commercialization) in the region.

This first step of the sub-sector analysis was combined with key stakeholder consultations
in order to enrich the published information with the more current activities in the sub-
sector. The review and key stakeholder consultative information contained in this report
is meant to elicit debate, identify critical constraints and opportunities within the sub-
sector to contribute to food security and incomes for the rural and urban poor. The
analysis will also identify information gaps within the sub-sector which will be a basis for
primary data collection and analysis.

APPROACH

Two EARRNET steering committee review meetings held in Nairobi 23 – 24th June and
July 3rd 2000, respectively endorsed the hiring of a consultant to handle the cassava sub-
sector study in collaboration with the NARS and other stakeholders. NARS were asked
to form cassava task forces comprising the national programme scientists, other cassava
project representatives, NGOs, farmer associations, universities, donors, consumers and
other interested parties to guide the sub-sector analysis at the national level. The
committee agreed to use a production to consumption systems approach (PCSA) in the
sub-sector analysis.

The PCSA is an important tool in sub-sector analysis. It focuses on the identification of

the different commodity components and their interactions among themselves and with
the environment. It is an important tool to focus and steer commodity research, policy
and technological interventions intended to improve the overall performance of a
commodity sector. Overall commodity performance is finally assessed in terms of its
contribution to food security, employment, income and distributional impact within
society at the macro level.
Correctly used PCS is directed to identify strategic points and forms of interventions in
order to improve the performance of the commodity system. This objective requires the
analysis of the current structure and the behaviour of the system and the understanding of
the relations of these to its overall performance and environment. This implies a
conceptual decomposition of the system into its micro level components, featuring the
most influential interest groups, and the interactions of these components with each other
and with the environment.

Because of its nature, PCS requires the work of interdisciplinary teams that approach and
effectively incorporate the participation of intended final beneficiaries and other users of
the expected research results.

Literature review and key stakeholder consultations were carried out in order to
consolidate the existing information and complement it with current but unpublished
information on the activities in the sub-sector.

A stakeholders’ workshop was held to discuss the draft report of the literature review and
to identify information gaps within the report and recommend other sources of
information that could be used to improve the report. Following the stakeholders
meeting, a survey focusing on farm households, traders, processors and transporters of
cassava commodities was undertaken. The results from the survey have been
consolidated with information from literature review to arrive at this report.

Specific papers have been commissioned within the region to collect and analyse
information on key areas that required detailed study. Some of the relevant papers for
Burundi include a study on cassava in the wider food systems, potential for
commercialization of planting material multiplication and distribution, and necessary
policy reforms for cassava to make wider contribution to food security and income
generation.

This report identifies opportunities and information gaps for further action by
stakeholders and key players in the industry and proposes areas for further research and
immediate investments.

A five day regional workshop will be organized to cover reporting of the work done,
exchange views and sharing information and ideas on the strategies of expanding the sub-
sector and building up a regional sub-sector strategy for cassava. Discussion groups
covering production, utilization and marketing will discuss relevant subjects in detail and
come up with issues of immediate, medium and long-term concern. Ways and means of
circumventing these constraints will be mapped out with specific agenda for action and
budget implications. Matters requiring immediate corrections by the stakeholders at no
cost for the better performance of the sub-sector will be sought before finalization of the
strategy document. This report will form part of the resource material to be presented at
workshop.
INTRODUCTION

Cassava Research and Technology Transfer in DRC

Research activities on cassava in the country were started in 1930s, under l’Institut
National pour l’Etude Agronomique du Congo Belge (INEAC) at the Yangamba station.
In 1974 the government created the National Cassava research Programm (PRONAM).
Since 1990, the programme has benefited from technical assistance from IITA. In 1993,
the programme was integrated into the national research programme I’NERA.

The objectives of the programme are to;

• Develop improved cassava varieties, that have high yields, are resistant to pests
and diseases and adoptable to different ecological zones and processing,

• Develop systems for economic exploitation of cassava products, and

• Transfer of improved technologies to beneficiaries.

Cassava research is ranked very highly by the I’NERA research organization.

INERA through its regional research stations is charged with research on cassava in the
country. The focus of the cassava research programme has been on breeding, germplasm
development and trials, laboratory tests, training and capacity building, seed
multiplication and distribution and technology transfer. The Institute works in
collaboration with other national and international development agencies and donors.

About 2000 cassava plants from 200 IITA elite clones were imported into DRC, Mvuazi
research station laboratories. There are four laboratories in this station; one dealing with
cassava biochemist for cyanogenic potential (CNP) and cassava processing into various
products including wheat-cassava composite bread, the second deals with cassava pests
using biological control methods, the third is a pathology laboratory backstopping the
breeding program in screening for diseases resistance and the fourth is being set up too
deal with tissue culture activities.

Agencies that are collaborating with INERA is research include University of Kinshasa,
CRENK, Service National Vulgarization (SNV), Service National de Semences
(SENASEM) and IITA.

In the area of technology transfer there are a number of agencies are that are involved
mainly in planting material multiplication and distribution, they include NGOs (CADIM,
FOLECO, Red Cross and APPRODEC), donor agencies (FAO, UNDP, GTZ and
Belgium Cooperation Agency). There is some level of collaboration between some of the
agencies but it is largely undocumented or informal.
Some of the varieties that have been released are listed below

Table 2. Varieties Released By INERA

Variety Year of Months to Yield Suitable Dry Matter

Release Maturity (mt/ha) Ecology zone %
RST/farm
Kinuani 1981 9 20/10 Clay soils 30
(bitter) (Bas-Congo)
F100 (sweet) 1984 12 20/10 General 40
Pululu 1987 12 20/15 Clay/sandy 40
(sweet) Bas-congo,
Kinshasa, not
suitable in
forest areas
Tshilobo 1984 12 20/10 Kasai 30
(bitter)
RAV 1997 12 30/15 General 35
(sweet)
Sadisa 2000 12 30/ Sandy/clay 35
(bitter) Bas-Congo,
Kinshasa
Papayi (very 2000 12 25/ Clay 40
sweet)
Mvuama 1996 15 20/13 Clay 38
(bitter) (Kinshasa,
Bas-Congo)
Source: Interviews with PRONAM researchers.

The level of well trained personnel researching on cassava is quite limited considering
that, the crop is a major source of livelihood in the country and the main biological and
biophysical challenges facing it at the moment. As it can be seen in table 3 below, there
is currently no personnel trained at the PhD level in PRONAM.

Table 3 PRONAM Human Research Capacity

1985 1990 1994 2000

PhD 2 2 1 0
MSc. 6 3 4 3
BSc. 0 4 1 1
Technical 5 6 4 5
Source: Interviews with PRONAM research team.
A number of institutions are currently funding research and technology transfer activities
in the country. The leading ones are IITA/EARRNET, the Government, and FAO. Most
of the funded activities include;
IITA: Cassava green mite project and Cassava flour fortification
EARRNET: germplasm development, root scale disease, cassava flour fortification,
chikwngue fortification and IPM for cassava green mite and cassava meal bug.
DRC-Government: General Research and Extension and
FAO: Seed multiplication and distribution

The Main Limiting Constraints in Research

• Low level of funding

• Limited human resources (number and level of training)
• Inadequate Research facilities (libraries, laboratories, motor vehicles,
communication)
• Low level if incentives to research personnel leading to high turnover.
PRODUCTION OF CASSAVA IN DR-CONGO

DRC is the main cassava producer within the EARRNET countries. Although cassava is
produced in all parts of the country, the major five producing provinces in the country in
order of volume of production are; Bandundu, Oriental, Katanga, Equateur, and Bas-
Congo. Each of the five provinces produce more than 1.5 tons of cassava per annum
based on 1996 statistics.

DRC is the second largest producer of Cassava in Africa, with a current estimated output
of about 16.5 million tons of cassava roots. The level of production of cassava leaves
which is equally important is however not documented.

Farming Systems

COSCA study showed that about 70% of the fields visited were grown with cassava
while, 13% were planted with maize, beans and peas (Nweke et al, 2000). Although this
finding could be disputed on the basis that sampling was biased towards farms in the
major cassava growing areas, evidence from other data shows that the area and
production levels of cassava are much high than any other food crop in the country. As
shown in figure 1 and 2 below in 1999 16.5 million tons of cassava were produced
compared to only 1.24 million tons of plantains its closed rival. In fact the level of
cassava production is higher than of all other food crops combined.

Cassava is not grown on a continuous basis like other annual crops because of its long
growth cycle relative to the other crops.

The study also found planting material to be a major problem across the surveyed fields.
Farmers were selecting their own genotypes based on canopy, early bulking, and those
with good under ground storability (Nweke, et al, 2000).

Available landraces had low genetic potential for root yield as most were susceptible to
plant pests and diseases especially ACMD.

Agronomic practices for cassava in DRC:

• Crop rotation
• Fallow management
• Planting material selection
• Generally grown as intercrop
• Can be planted late into the rain season as it is hardy
• Planting can be spread over several months
• Harvesting rarely done at once.
In terms of varietal characteristics it was found the bitter type of cassava comprised 60%
of the planted cassava. Farmers use planting material from their own farms or from
neighbours. In selecting planting material they consider; weed susceptibility, early
bulking, branching characteristics, good in-ground storability, pests and diseases
resistance and good processing qualities.

Low branching is desired for weed control but not for intercropping, while high or no
branching is desired for intercropping and not weed control.

Cassava Production Levels

The production of cassava in the country shows a steady decline since 1992. although a
number of reasons could be attributed to this decline the principal ones are civil strife and
the cassava mosaic disease. As indicated in figure 3 below the area under the crop has
also declined in the same period. In the figure below the level of cassava production is
shown for 1991 – 2000. This production only represents cassava roots and not leaves.

Figure 3: Cassava Production in DRC 1991 – 2000 (mt)

Cassava Production in DRC 1991 - 2000 (mt)

25000000

20000000

15000000
MT

Cassava
10000000

5000000

0
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Year

In terms of geographical production levels, figure 4 below presents the data for provincial
production of cassava between 1991 and 1996. Provinces that have manifested high
declines in production include Bandundu and Katanga, while Oriental and Kasai have
recorded some slight increases in production.

Figure 4: Provincial Production of Cassava in DRC 1991 – 1996 (mt)

 Provincial Production of Cassava in DRC 1990-1996 (MT)

5000000

4500000
Kinshasa
4000000
Bas-Congo
3500000 Bandundu
H-Congo
3000000
N-Kivu
MT

2500000 Katanga
Kasai-Orint
2000000
Equateur
1500000 Maniema
S-Kivu
1000000
Kasai-Occ
500000

0
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
Year

The level of production of other main food-crops is presented in figure 5 below.

Production levels for all the food crops show a decline between 1994 and 1995, with
plantains showing the highest decline. Although the decline for most food-crops appears
to stabilize after 1995, that of cassava continues (see figure 3).

The decline in food production over the years indicates the country is headed for a major
food crisis. It is therefore important to ensure that measures are put in place to address
the key factors leading to decline in production of the main staple foods in the country.
Figure 5: Production other Important Food Crops in DRC in MT (1991 – 2000)

Production of Major Food Crops Excluding Cassava in DRC (MT) 1991 -

2000

2500000
maize
2000000 rice
plantains
sweet potato
1500000
shelled nuts
MT

dry beans
1000000 igname

500000

0
91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

00
19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

Years 20

As shown in figure 6 below the area under cassava declined in the same period, with
sharpest decline happening between 1994 and 1995. This decline is also evident for other
food crops for the period 1994 and 1995. Area under maize however shows a slight
increase after 1995. The yields for cassava actually increased from 7,723 t/ha to 8,138
t/ha between 1994 and 1995 and therefore could not have been responsible for the decline
in production.

The are under cassava appears to be decreasing while that under maize shows a steady
increase. Several reasons have been advanced for this outcome by INERA research team;
they include farmers substitution of cassava planting with maize in areas which have
been badly affected by pests and diseases, increase in maize production due to its demand
for blending with cassava in flour milling and the fact that maize can be grown in more
seasons that cassava.
Figure 6: Area in Hectares Under Main Food crops in DRC (1991 – 2000)

Area (Ha) Under Production of Main Food Crops in DRC (1991 - 2000)

3000000

2500000

2000000 maize
rice(paddy)
Ha

1500000 cassava
plantains
1000000 sweet potato
shl. nuts
500000 beans
igname
0
91

92

93

94

95

96

97

98

99

00
19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

19

20
Year

In terms of comparison in production with other countries in the EARRNET, DRC is the
undisputed major producer of cassava. While its level of production is in the
neighbourhood of 20 million tons per annum, the nearest challenger is Uganda with a
production estimated at about 3.4 million tons per annum. The main producing areas are
the low and mid-altitude areas.

Cassava harvesting is manually done and includes mainly piecemeal harvesting which
based on household food needs and market conditions including household cash
requirements. Piecemeal harvesting is also practiced as method of storage. The maturing
period for most of the cassava grown in the country ranges between 6 and 36 months
(Nweke et al, 2000). PRONAM recommends harvesting of cassava between 12 and 18
months. About 70% of the cassava is harvested before the 12th month.

Production Constraints

Cassava production in DRC is affected by a number of factors, the leading ones being the
effects of diseases and pests. The most reported diseases and pests are;

• Cassava meal bug (CMB)

• Cassava green mite (CGM)
 • Africa cassava mosaic disease (ACMD)
• Cassava bacterial blight (CBB)
• Cassava root-scale (CRS)

In Kenya, where the mosaic virus is also affecting cassava production, it was found that
some farmers Machakos area were not aware that the browning agent on their cassava
leaves was a viral infection.

Attempts are being made by various agencies in the country to address the cassava
mosaic pandemic in the country. The severity of the problem has led to formation of a
cassava working group to coordinate all development activities on cassava and more
importantly to help in multiplication and distribution of disease resistant varieties. This
group is discussed further in the stakeholder analysis section.

Lack of clean planting material is the other main problem facing the cassava farming
community in the country. The problem is compounded by the spread of the cassava
mosaic disease. A number of agencies are working with farmers to address this problem.
However, the limiting factor remains the limited capacity for these institutions to
multiply and distribute the planting material to all the farming communities.

Low prices offered for cassava and cassava based products is also a disincentive to
farmers who grow for market. Low prices are as a result of many intermediaries, poor
infrastructure and low competition.

Civil strife within the country and in the region has also affected not only cassava
production but production of other major food crops as well.

Lack of organized marketing system, costly transportation system and bad

communication infrastructure has also affected cassava production.

MARKETING

Cassava marketing in the country takes place at different levels; farm gate, local markets,
road side hawking and in major urban centers. Trade in raw roots, raw leaves, cassava
chips (cossette), cassava flour, and chikwangwe is the most common especially in main
urban areas. Other marketed products include; gari, boiled/roasted roots, and cassava
paste which is used in making chikwangwe and other products. Gari for example is
important in Bas-Congo and it has a niche market.

The COSCA study concludes that producers’ market incentive were low because of
difficult market access conditions and because of easy consumer access to imported rice
and wheat bread around market centers. Easy access to rice and wheat products
discourage farmers around market centers from investing in use of purchased inputs in
cassava production (Nweke, et al, 2000).
Other findings were that cassava more important where middle men (traders and
processors) provided marketing services than where farmers sold directly to consumers.
This indicates a potential niche to promote a marketing activity for cassava. It has also
been claimed that some middlemen process and export cassava leaves to European
markets.

The pricing and transport elements of the cassava trade are not documented, but with the
vast area of the country, transport is likely to be a major handicap to cassava trade. In
other areas the bulkness of the raw roots and poor transport infrastructure coupled with
poor marketing system have been blamed for low cassava prices and poor market
accessibility.

Lack of price and market information is also a limiting factor to cassava production
especially where production decisions are influenced by market access.

Fig. 7 Marketing Flow of Fresh Cassava Roots

MARKETING CHANNELS OF FRESH CASSAVA ROOTS BASED ON COSCA STUDY FINDINGS

Place of Sale by Farmer Buyers from Farmers

% of Villages
% of Villages
% of Villages % of Villages

39 Field 8 8
Trader 33
6
11

25 8
6
11
17 Home
0
6
6 0
Processor 9
0
8
30 0 3
Rural market
22

25
6
22 58
14 Urban market Consumer
5

Total 100 100 100 100

The COSCA study found that about 40% of the survey villages sold cassava in the field
before harvest, over 15% sold cassava after harvest at farm gate, 30% sold in rural
markets and another 15% sold in urban markets. In an earlier study (Tollens, 1992)
found that in Bas-Congo the main source of cassava for Kinshasa, 42% of the
transactions were made at farm gate, 20% occurred at the rural markets, 14% were made
directly in urban centers while 17% of the sales were made while the cassava was still in
the field and the reminder sold along the roads.
Marketing Chain for Chikwangwe, Cossette and Raw Cassava Roots

In figures …figures have been removed .. below we show the marketing channels for
three main cassava products in the country, cossette, chikwnagwe and raw cassava roots.
This information is based on discussions with key stakeholders and PRONAM
researchers in Kinshasa. The margin levels or intensity of competition at each stage of
the marketing chain was not revealed. The COSCA studies do not provide the margins
for any of the transaction stages either.

Marketing Constraints

Marketing constraints in the cassava sub-sector are numerous and depend on the product.
The main ones include;

• Low competition in the cassava trade resulting in cartel type of trade which is
exploitative to farmers,
• Poor or lack of storage facilities for different cassava products, leading to high
waste and poor quality products,
• Lack of market facilities (stalls, stores, etc), where traders can transact business,
• Poor transport infrastructure and facilities,
• Low prices offered to producers leading to disincentive to produce,
• Poor / lack of appropriate packaging technology, leading to low demand, poor
presentation, low prices and spoilage.
• Lack of credit facilities to stimulate trade in large volumes,
• Lack of price and market information nationally and internationally for different
cassava products,
• Low or no industrial utilization of cassava in different industrial uses,
• Lack of entrepreneurial skills among existing and potential cassava traders.

PROCESSING

Most of the cassava processing is household based especially that of making chikwangwe
and cossette. Large scale milling of cassava flour is done in Kinshasa. Other processed
products in the country include paste and gari

Traditional methods used in the processing are costly in terms of labour use as well as
waste. The processing methods used involve; peeling, chipping, milling, slicing or
grating, dehydration by pressing, decanting, sun or smoke drying, or frying, fermentation
by soaking in water, heaping, stacking, or sedimentation, sieving; and or cooking,
boiling, or steaming (Nweke et al, 2000). The number of steps used and the sequencing
vary depending on the product being processed. The steps are however all labour
intensive. In figure 8 below the different steps and resulting products are presented in
diagram form. As it can be seen most of the steps are water and labour intensive.
Making of chips and flour is also labour, water and sun/ smoke drying intensive.

The proportion of processed products was influenced by access to market services.

Higher proportion of processing was observed in villages where market access was
limited. Water and firewood availability determined the type of product made but did not
influence the volume of processed products. In Nweke (1998), it is show that processing
is essentially a female affair in about 90% of the surveyed villages, in 8% by males and
females and by males only in only 2% of the representative villages.

Figure 8 Processing Steps for Various Products Made From Cassava Roots

FIG. PROCESSING STEPS FOR VARIOUS CASSAVA PRODUCTS

Cassava Roots

Major Processing
Steps
---------------------- Peel

Peeling Peel
Splitting

Splitting
Crush Grate
Crushing Grind Mill Mill

Press
Press
Water Expressing Press

Fermenting Soak Heap Heap

Stack KEY:

Labor intensive
Sieving Sieve Sieve
Sieve
Sieve Sieve
Water use intensive
Firewood use intensi.
Drying Sun/ Smoke Sun/Smoke
dry dry Toast Labor & Firewood int.

Sunlight int.
Cooking Steam
Joint steps
Steam

FERMENTED
UNFERMENTED

Uncooked
Cooked Chips Flour Chips Flour Steamed Toasted
End product at
Point of entry into
Marketing system Chips/Flour Granules
Paste

Mechanizing peeling of the cassava is complicated by the fact that the root shapes are
different and also differ in size. The level of moisture content is also of concern
especially in processing of cossette. There appears to be an opportunity to develop
genotypes with low moisture content for communities where cossette is the main product.

Cassava widely processed into two major products:

• Chikwangwe (ready to eat food) and

• Cossette (requires further processing and elaborate cooking at home.

Cossette is made using a wide range of traditional methods. Soaked roots can be
converted into chips by sun drying or smoke drying either directly after peeling or after
crushing, sieving, pressing, and rolling into balls. Other methods of making chips
directly from fresh roots include; sun dry/ smoke dry peeled fresh roots or ferment by
heaping, followed by sun/smoke drying.

Cossette is the most popular form of cassava processing in the country.

Chikwangwe (paste) is made by immersing whole roots of cassava in water (streams,

puddles, or in container) for three to five days to soften and ferment. The roots are then
taken out of the water and peeled. Fibres are removed from the pulp by sieving in water
using a basket, fibre bag, or perforated metal bowl. Chikwangwe is made mainly in the
remote rural areas. Labour saving methods are not in use and the process takes a long
time and is highly labouriuos.

Mechanization of cassava processing in the country may stimulate increased production

of cassava as it has done in West African countries.

Cassava leaves are also processed for export, but the nature and level of processing and
packaging is not documented.

Constraints in Processing

• Lack of appropriate processing technologies,

• Limited knowledge on range of potential products that can be processed from
cassava,
• Lack of appropriate packaging technologies for processed products,
• Limited shelf life for some of the processed products,
• Lack of appropriate storage facilities for processed and raw materials,
• Lack of standardized cassava roots for processing,
• Limited potential market information for different processed products

UTILIZATION

Cassava in DRC is mainly used for human consumption. Both roots and the leaves are
used. In some areas the leaves are more important than the roots. The sweet type of
cassava is mainly eaten fresh or boiled. Bitter type of cassava is estimated at 60% of
cassava production and requires more rigorous processing before eating. COSCA report
(Nweke, 2000) found that 85% of cassava was utilized in processed form while 15% was
used in its fresh form. Combined COSCA studies however found that the proportion of
processed cassava was lower for villages that had market access (close to markets or
access to services of marketing middlemen)

Cassava contributes a disproportionate large amount of (almost 60% of average daily

dietary energy intake per person in DRC, maize is second largest source with just about
5% (FAO, 1970: from Nweke, et al, 2000, see also figure … below). This share has
however, continued to fall since 1991 as a result of falling production of cassava.
Figure 9. DRC Food Calorie Supply/Cap/Day for Main Food Crops

DRC Food Calorie Supply/Cap/Day for Main Food Crops

1400
1200
Cassava
1000
Maize
Cal/Cap/Day

800 Rice

600 S/Potato
Wheat
400 Yams
200
0
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
Year

Cassava is processed into two main products in DRC, Cossette and Chikwangwe.
Chikwanwe is a ready to eat product and is sold in most urban centers along the street by
hawkers. Cossettes are milled into flour which is to cook a thick paste called fufu in local
language.

The leaves are used as vegetables across the country. Cassava vegetables are also part of
the recipes in low to medium class hotel menus. It has been claimed in Madagascar and
DRC that farmers prefer mosaic infected leaves for vegetables and this is perceived to be
a problem in transfer of virus resistant varieties. This is an area that needs to be
investigated to establish the relation between leaf harvesting and root yields and also
perception of farmers on leaf preference vis a vis virus resistant varieties.

In some communities across the EARRNET region, the level of knowledge of nutritional
value of cassava products in largely unknown. Even among nutritional programmes in
some countries cassava is said to be of low or no significant nutritional value. In tables 3
and 4 below information on nutritional value of cassava is presented.

Table 3 Protein and energy contents of cassava products prepared traditionally.*

Raw peeled tuber Tuber cooked in water Peeled cooked and washed
Calories 395 394 395
Proteins 1.51 1.49 1.95
# :; %//0
Source: Favier, J.C et al. 1971 "La technologie traditionelle du manioc au Camerron:
influence sur la valeur nutritive" in Wambugu and Mungai, 2000.
Table 4 Proximate composition of cassava leaves per 100g edible portion, fresh
weight.

Component Reference Calori Moisture Protein Fat g Total Fibre Ash

es % g carbohydrate g g G
Cassava A 91 71.7 7.0 1.0 18.3 4.0 2.0
leaf, raw
B 60 81.0 6.9 1.3 9.2 2.1 1.6
Source: a: Food Composition Table for Use in Africa. FAO and US Dept. of Health
Education and Welfare, 1968.
b: Food Composition Table for Use in Africa. FAO and US Dept. of Health
Education and Welfare, 1972. in Wambugu and Mungai, 2000.

Potential Areas for Cassava Utilization

It is common knowledge that cassava processing is a tedious and labourious process and
with decreasing rural labour availability most housewives would not find sufficient time
to process cassava. Efforts should therefore be made to get the food processing industry
such as flour millers to get involved in the cassava processing and make cassava flour
and other products available in supermarkets and retail outlets in ready to cook form.

In the area of packaging, more attractive and shelf life enhancing technologies need to be
developed/ identified. This will make cassava available to more people and for longer
seasons in the year.

In the area of post harvest technologies a lot still remains to be done to identify
appropriate storage and processing technologies, that have low losses, improve the shelf
life of the commodity and guarantee quality product. Existing storage and processing
technologies are wasteful and costly.

Industrial Uses of Cassava

Cassava has wide range of industrial uses that can be exploited to support a number of
industrial raw material requirements of the domestic industries. The Cassava starch is an
important industrial raw material. It is used in the food industry in many preparations
including; sauces, gravies, custard powders, baby foods, tapioca products, glucose,
confectionery and bakery products.

It is also used as a jelly or thickening agent, in manufacture of adhesives, dextrin’s and

pastes, used as a filler in manufacture of paints, used in textile industry and can also be
used in manufacture of alcohol.

Cassava can be used in the animal feeds manufacture in the country and can be an
important raw material for the expanding cattle and poultry feeds industry.
STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS

Cassava being the most important food crop in DRC has attracted a number of
development and relief agencies in the country. Following an outbreak of the cassava
mosaic disease in the country, FAO formed a cassava working group in June 2000 (Ad
Spijkers, July 2000). The group includes stakeholders on cassava research and
development agencies (INERA, Ministry of Agriculture, EU, Belgian Cooperation,
International and National NGOs and FAO). Its mission is to consult on national cassava
strategy in a practical national vision that could be translated into plans and actions to
safeguard and promote cassava production.

Contacts have also been established between INERA, FAO and IITA since March 2000.

INERA as the leading agriculture research institute carries the mandate of biological,
biophysical, socio-economic, and post-harvest research in the country. Its cassava
research programme is supported by a number of agencies. It boasts of research fields,
laboratories and libraries although at the moment they lack links with other important
sources of scientific information.

IITA/EARRNET have assisted the national research programme, through training of

local staff to boast the INERA human capacity, IITA has also given technical support
through visits. It has also given a number of its elite germplasm material for tests and
eventual adoption in the country.

FAO has a food emergency project which has also identified cassava mosaic as a major
problem in the country and has initiated the cassava working group to tackle the problem
in a collaborative manner and to ensure farmers have access to clean planting material.
FAO has started some programmes to address the cassava production constraints. The
overriding concern is the effect of the cassava mosaic disease to this important food crop
in DRC. Good agronomic practices are also a concern to FAO. It is promoting
Integrated Pest Management practices (IPM) to counter the effects of some of the
diseases and pest effects on cassava.

A number of organizations have shown interest in the cassava sub-sector in DRC, these
include IITA, USAID (funded activities in the past though this funding has been
discontinued), GTZ, and a number of NGOs led by CADIM and FOLECO. USAID is
already showing interest in funding seed multiplication for cassava.

FAO has started cassava multiplication projects in the country to help farmers in getting
clean planting material. There are now about 200,000 planting materials set up in
nurseries. FAO is also promoting the Farmer Training School Model (FTS) for training
farmers in the pest and diseases management.
The EU, Belgium Cooperation Agency and a number of other development agencies have
expressed support for tackling the problems facing the cassava sub-sector through
financial and technical injections.

Other important stakeholders in the cassava sub-sector in the country include; NGOs
(CADIM, FOLECO, Red Cross and APPRODEC). Most of the NGOs are involved in
multiplication and distribution of planting material. In figure 10 below actors within each
of the components of the cassava sub-sector in DRC are presented. Although the level of
involvement of various stakeholders in some of the components is high, it does not
necessarily mean they are collaborating with each other.
 Fig 10 Stakeholder Participation In Various Components of the Cassava Sub-sector In
DRC

COMPONENT Institutions Involved

RESEARCH
INERA

PLANTING MATERIAL OTHER RESEARCH

MULTIPLICATION AGENCIES (University, CRENKA,
IITA/EARRNET etc)

NGOs
EXTENSION/ TECHNOLOGY
TRANSFERR

MARKETING DONORS

MINISTRY OF
AGRICULTURE
PROCESSING
SNV

SENASEM
UTILIZATION
POLICY ENVIRONMENT

Research activities on cassava in the country were started in 1930s, under l’Institut
National pour l’Etude Agronomique du Congo Belge (INEAC) at the Yangamba station.
In 1974 the government created the National Cassava research Programm (PRONAM).
Since 1990, the programme has benefited from technical assistance from IITA. In 1993,
the programme was integrated into the national research programme I’NERA.

The objectives of the programme are to;

• Develop improved cassava varieties, that have high yields, are resistant to pests
and diseases and adoptable to different ecological zones and processing,

• Develop systems for economic exploitation of cassava products, and

• Transfer of improved technologies to beneficiaries.

Cassava research is ranked very highly by the I’NERA research organization.

Cassava features prominently in the food security framework by the government and
other relief agencies in the country. In this area emphasis is laid on ensuring farmers get
clean planting material.

Under the technology transfer, the government’s extension department SNV, plays a
major role of linking research activities to the grassroot beneficiaries. The NGO
community also plays an important role in transfer of improved cassava technologies.

The donor and development community in DRC are also making efforts to improve
production of cassava. FAO has taken the initiative to organize a cassava working group
comprising a number of key stakeholders and potential donors for the development of the
cassava sub-sector. At the moment a major focus is on the planting material
multiplication and distribution.

At the moment the country does not a clear policy on the development of the sub-sector.
It is important that the country develops a policy that stipulates the development of the
sub-sector. This will guide potential donors in funding specific activities for the sub-
sector. From the information presented in this report, cassava can be promoted first to
address food security issues as a large number of the population is threatened with food
insecurity due to internal displacements. Data from FAO/WFP indicate substantial
deficits for all main food crops including roots and tubers.

Cassava being a low input crop which can also do well with little management and is not
very demanding in soil fertility and moisture like other main food crops can be given a
priority for development in the country.
In terms of the crops contribution to incomes and employment, there is already
substantial trade in the crop either in its raw form or in processed products. It appears
that then there is potential to promote the crop not only for food security reasons but for
commercial purposes as well. Commercialisation of the crop will encourage farmers to
increase production either through increase in acreage or in yields by adopting better
farming practices.

In order to achieve commercialisation of the crop the milliant of problems faced by

processors and traders of the commodity have to be addressed. Deliberate efforts to
improve on the quality and quantity of processed products will increase its income
generation to traders and processors.

Technology Environment

The level technological development for any commodity sub-sector is very important and
especially for commodities in which processing and marketing are important
components. In the cassava sub-sector, technology issues are important in the area of
planting material (types: resistant to diseases and pests, of good storage quality, ideal for
processing in desired products, taste, dry matter content and suitability to different
ecological zones). I’NERA’s PRONAM programme in partnership with other
international agencies is the leading institution in development of appropriate production
technologies. IITA, has in particular played a crucial role in assisting PRONAM develop
appropriated cassava cultivars.

Post-harvest technologies; methods of transportation, packaging, storage and processing

are also of importance. Here again one would be interested in availability of different
types of technologies, their efficiency, appropriateness and availability of spares parts
and technical backup.

In DRC, like in many other African countries, availability of appropriate planting

material has been a major problem affecting cassava production. Although for example
the cassava mosaic disease has been around for quite sometime, availability of resistant
materials is still a big constraint to many farmers. Varieties of other important traits such
as dry matter content, good processing qualities are also a problem. Even where good
materials exist, the multiplication and distribution system remains wanting.

In the area of post harvest and processing, technology levels remain largely traditional
with inherent inefficiency, wastage and lacking in quality control. Most of the
technologies are time consuming, lack economies of scale and result in unstandardized
low shelf life products.

The main technology constraint areas include; storage, processing and packaging.
Cassava farmers have had to do with innovative ways of addressing the technology
limitations such as underground storage, and delayed/ piecemeal harvesting. Sun drying
is also largely used in cossette processing, but it is a difficult task in wet areas.

INERA in collaboration with IITA, the University of Kinshasa and CRENK are working
in the area of post harvest technologies, to diversify the range of processed products and
to improve on the processing technologies for current products such as flour and
Chikwngwe.
PART II SURVEY RESULTS

Methodology
The cassava sub-sector analysis study was initiated in 2000 in six EARRNET countries.
Each of the countries formed a task force to coordinate the national data collection and
stakeholders consultations.

In October 2000, detailed literature review was started for all the six countries the review
was complemented with information from stakeholders’ consultations. The review was
aimed at understanding the current status of the sub-sector in each country and to elicit
debate on the potential areas for further investigations, research and investments
targeting, institutional, policy and technological studies.

All the six EARRNET countries formed task forces comprising people working in the
cassava sub-sector and of diverse disciplines.

The task forces were responsible for gathering as much literature as possible on cassava
and related commodities in their country. This information was made available to the
consultant for review and drafting of a status report. The draft status reports were debated
national stakeholders workshops in which information gaps, areas with immediate
opportunities and constraints were identified.

Field surveys were conducted in five of the six EARRNET countries to collect
information for filling information gaps or updating the existing information.

Key stakeholders were consulted and their views considered in the draft country reports.
The draft reports were presented at stakeholders meetings for discussions and
identification of information gaps. The stakeholders made recommendations for further
information collection which were considered in designing questionnaires for collection
of primary data.

In DRC 161 farmers were interviewed in three provinces (Bas Congo, Kinshasa, nad
Bandundu). The distribution of the farm households interviewed in each province was
based on weighted scale of the level of production in the province compared to other
provinces.

Random sampling procedures using transect walks were applied in the smallest sampling
units in each province, the cellule.

In the case of cassava traders, processors and transporters, purposive sampling

procedures were applied in which key informants were used to guide researchers to main
traders, processors and transporters of cassava commodities. In the case of small scale
traders random sampling was applied in main trading centres.
Field Data Collection

Field surveys have been completed in five countries. Only Uganda in which a limited and
focussed studies were recommended is yet to complete their studies.

Kenya has collected data on production, marketing and processing. Specific papers have
also been commissioned to look at the potential niches for the sub-sector. These include;
animal feeds industry, cassava in the food systems, and potential commercialisation of
cassava planting material. FoodNet has also funded a study on potential use of cassava
starch in Kenya. This study will be completed by the end if the year.

Rwanda: Rwanda has completed survey on production, processing and utilisation. There
has been no offer for researchers to undertake any of the proposed papers for
commissioning.

Burundi: Burundi has undertaken survey on production, marketing, processing and

transportation. No commissioned papers have been undertaken in the country.

DRC: In DRC where cassava is the most important food crop field work focused on all
areas of the crop; production, marketing, utilisation, processing, transportation and
middlemen who offer support services. A commissioned paper on marketing and
utilisation of cassava leaves is also being written.

Madagascar: In Madagascar thorough research work has been undertaken on all aspects
of cassava; production, marketing and utilization, processing, CBOs working on cassava
related projects. FoodNet is undertaking a detailed study on cassava marketing and
industrial utilization.

Uganda: Uganda has had a number of studies on the cassava sub-sector including
COSCA and some specific studies conducted by FoodNet. These studies have generated
important information in understanding the sub-sector. After review of the available
information and discussions at a stakeholders workshop in April areas that required
further investigations were;

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Production
The survey was carried out in three main provinces in the western part of the country,
namely Bandundu, Bas-Congo and Kinshasa. It covered 161 households as follows,
Bandundu 70, Bas-Congo 63 and Kinshasa 28. In selecting the survey areas, the team
considered security, high cassava producing areas and also the available resources for
conducting the survey.
 Cassava is the most important food crop in DRC. It is either grown as a mono-crop or
intercropped with maize and groundnuts. The average cropped area was 2.98 ha of which
the average cassava cropped area was 1.92 ha. The survey results show that more than
65% of the cropped area was under cassava.

The average output for the farmers interviewed for the year 2000 was 2.125 tons. Given
an average price of Fc 1000 per kilo of fresh cassava, this translates to Fc 2,125
million per farming household.

Farming Systems

Most of the respondents reported that they grew cassava under mixed cropping although
there was also a high percent of mono cropping. Only 6.8% of the respondents reported
that they grew cassava under mono-cropping. while 88.2% grew under mixed cropping.

The main crop intercropped with cassava was groundnuts. Cassava was also intercropped
with beans, bananas, plantains.

The most important cassava varieties grown in the surveyed areas were; F100,
Kinkongolo, Mankanu, Mvuama and Muzesu. In terms of regional importance, Muzesu,
F100 and Ntiti were most popular in Bandundu, Kinkongolo, Madelene, Nsubakani and
F100 were most popular in Bas-Congo, and Mankanu, Mundjoko, 2864 and Jaune were
most popular in Kinshasa province. Farmers reasons for preferring certain varieties were
based on; yield 29%, taste 2.5%, dry matter 2.5% and early maturing 1.2%. This means
that yield levels were the single most important factor influencing farmers choice for
cassava varieties.

In terms of sources of the planting material farmers identified the following as the main
sources; own farms (47%), other farmers (36%), and markets (2.5%). The rest were from
a combination of different sources.

Table 5 Main Varieties Grown Per Country

Country Variety No.1 Variety Variety No. Variety No. Variety
No.2 3 4 No.5
Burundi Nakarasi Bitamisi Yongwe Inagitembe Imiduga
Rwanda Gitamisi Imiribua Gashashari Nairo
Kenya Kibandameno Sudhe Binit- Obarodak Kitwa
Adhumani
Madagascar Kelimanatody Meta Pamba Madarasy Telovolana
Uganda
DRC F100 Kinkongolo Muzesu Mvuama Mankanu
Table 6 Cropping System
Country Cassava Grown with % of mono-cropping of
cassava
Burundi Maize, beans, banana, 33%
Kenya Maize, beans 24.7%
Rwanda Maize, banana 48%
DRC Maize, g/ nuts 6.8%
Madagascar Maize, beans, g/nuts 56.2%
Uganda Maize, beans

Table 7 Cropping System By Province

Province Cassava % of mono- Source of Planting Material
Grown with cropping of
cassava
Own farm O-farmers Extension
Bandundu Maize, 5.7% 45.7% 25.7% 17.1%
groundnuts
Bas-Congo Maize, 6.3% 38.1% 31.7% 19%
groundnuts
Kinshasa Maize 21.4% 39.3% 35.7% 17.8%
Note: Extension includes Ministry of Agr., Research and NGOs

Table 8 Main Sources of planting Material

Country % From The Source
Own Farm Other Market
Farmers
Kenya 24 49.4 1.6
Burundi 60.6 6.4 0.4
Rwanda 30.4 15.5 (combination>9.5)
DRC 47 36 2.5
Madagascar 69.5 26.5 0.4

The use of improved planting material was constraint by lack of appropriate

multiplication and distribution network. Only 14.2% of those interviewed reported using
improved planting material. The rest were using mainly traditional materials.

When asked the reasons for abandoning certain cassava varieties, the farmers mentioned
the following, low yields (20.4%), susceptible to diseases and pests (6.2%) and lack of
planting material (4.9%). The most abandoned variety in all the provinces surveyed was
the F100. Others were Kidamu and mpelolongo (Bas-Congo), and Munene and Kidamu
(Kinshasa).
Main Constraints

The main constraints faced by cassava farmers are, diseases, lack of mechanization for
land preparation, labour, low yields and lack of planting material. Farmers also
mentioned lack of improved planting material as another problem facing them.

In the area of diseases and pests the specific diseases and pests facing farmers were;
• Disease: The most virulent are CMD (52.2%), CBB-cassava bacterial blight
(15.5%), root rot (14.9%)
• Pests included Cassava mealy bug-CMB (60.9%), CGM-cassava green mite
(14.3%), CRM-cassava root scale (CRM).

Opportunities

Cassava in DRC has opportunity for being promoted to address food security. This could
be achieved through addressing some of the problems identified in this study such as
adoption of disease and pest resistant varieties, which INERA can acquire through its
EARRNET links.

Lack of planting material can also be addressed by getting NGOs and other community
based organisations and extension staff to improve on multiplication and distribution of
the planting material. There is also need to identify a more sustainable method of
multiplication and distribution of planting material in the country.

Trade in cassava leaves which extents beyond the countries borders should be boasted by
supporting those involved in the trade to improve on processing, packaging and market
expansion.

The use of cassava in the industrial sector such as in bread and biscuits should also be
explored and promoted. INERA’s Mvuazi station has a cassava/wheat composite flour
bread making project. This should be expanded and the private sector brought into the
fold to do joint research so as to ensure faster adaptation.

PROCESSING

Twenty nine (29) processors were interviewed in the following centers; 15 in Bas-Congo,
13 in Kinshasa and 1 (one) in Bandundu. Majority started in late 1990s and only three
were of 1985 or older. These are very small with a labourforce ranging between 2 and 8.
Most of the operations employed unskilled labourforce. Majority of the interviewed
processors were operating fairly new operations with majority having started operating in
1998 or later. They therefore did not have a lot of business experience. Even then about
28% of those interviewed had had a closure of their operations for various reasons.
Main Processed Products

The main processed products were cossettes (dried chips), flour, cassava leaves and
chikwangue. Processing of cassava flour was mainly using electric powered mills.
Chikwangue was mainly processed using traditional fermentation and cooking process.
The processors were operating on a very small scale with majority having only one or
two employees.

Consumer Preference for Processed Products

The main factor influencing consumers preference for cassava flour or chips was colour.
The processors said that their clients preferred snow white colour for flour or chips. The
other preferences were flour texture and size of the chips.

In other countries consideration of moisture content and smell was also reported as a
factor.

The principle suppliers of the raw materials for processing were

Constraints in The Cassava Processing

Constraints Facing Cassava Processors:

• Lack of raw material (primarily cassava chips)
• Poor quality of cassava chips especially during the wet season caused by
inadequate drying.
• Lack of appropriate storage facilities for cassava chips and flour
• Electric power outages

Lack of cassava chips is especially severe during the wet season and processors have to
stock sufficient quantities to meet monthly demands from consumers. Demand is usually
very high at the end of the month. Traders’ lacks appropriate storage facilities and
therefore incur expenses through spoilage.

Opportunities

The potential to increase the level of micro processing of cassava exists in DRC. This
can be achieved through improving access by processors to quality cassava chips. The
processing technologies should also be improved so as to improve the quality of
processed products to meet consumer preferences and demand. The use of cassava is
bread making should be tried at the commercial level.

There is also need to expand (diversify) the range of cassava processed products to keep
with changing eating habits associated with urbanization.
Processing at Household Level

At the household level simple technologies are used in processing of cassava into various
products. Kitchen knives are used in peeling and splitting, while mats were used for
drying purposes. Mills were used in milling the cassava chips into flour. Mortar and
Paste is also used especially in making chikwangue. Most people reported using baskets
for fermentation. The cassava would be wrapped with banana leaves or tarpaulins and
placed into baskets for fermenting.

CASSAVA MARKETING IN DRC

95 traders were interviewed in the following areas: Bas-Congo 47, Kinshasa 40 and
Bandundu 8.

The principle clients direct consumers (50.5%), combination of consumers and retailers
(12.6%) and combination of consumers and wholesalers (9.5%).

Of the traders interviewed 23.2% were selling chikwangue, 24.2% flour, 16.8% leaves
and 14.7% chips. 68.4% operated cassava as the sole business.

Majority of the traders were retail traders (51.4% of the respondents). Those operating
purely on wholesale business were 11.4%, the rest were operating a combination of retail
and wholesale business. In terms of ownership 84.2% of the respondents were the
owners of the businesses, while 11.6 % were either employed or relatives of the business
owners.

In terms of gender 82.1% of the traders were women and 16.8% were male.

Majority (68.4%) of those interviewed were operating cassava trade as the sole business,
the others combined cassava trade with other commodities.

Traders reported the main preferences of their clients as follows; whiteness of the flour or
chips (65.5%), flour texture (fineness) 3.4% and size of the cassava chips (6.9%). This
implies that the most important consideration for the quality of cassava chips or flour is
colour. To achieve this good colour there is need for stringent processing measures
including the drying process. This will ensure the end product has the colour qualities
desired by consumers. For the flour, moisture content was also mentioned as a factor
influencing consumer choice.

Chikwangue consumers preferred white colour and elasticity of the product. For cassava
leaves the main quality parameters were colour (green colour most preferred), and size of
the bunches.
The principle suppliers to traders by gender were women as sole suppliers (34.7%), men
as sole suppliers (7.4%) and a combination of men and women as suppliers (49.5%).
This means that women play an important role in cassava trade in the country. Women
also constituted the highest number of clients to the traders with 35.8% of the traders
reporting women as their sole clients, while only 3.2% reported men as their sole clients.

Main constraints Facing Traders

The reported constraints by traders were;

• Poor supplies,
• High taxes,
• Price fluctuations,
• Lack of capital (credit),
• Transportation,
• High moisture content for chips and flour, and
• Lack of storage facilities.

Transportation

12 transporters were interviewed, six were interviewed in Bas-Congo, 5 in Kinshasa and

1 in Bandundu. They mainly transport cossettes, maize, beans, groundnuts, cassava, fufu,
pondu and tomato.

The tonnage of the operated vehicles was between ½ ton and 20 tons. Cost of
transportation was quite high as reported with one transporter saying he charged $1000
for a distance of 372 kilometers from Luozi to Nkundi. This is expected in a country
with poor infrastructure and shortage of fuel. This translates to high consumers prices at
the final destination of the commodities.

Transport is also charged per unit of the commodity to be transported e.g. per bag and in
consideration of the distance to be covered. The cost per bag is between 100fc and
1900fc.

UTILIZATION

Human Utilization

In DRC both cassava leaves and tubers are consumed. The leaves are usually consumed
as vegetable. They are more nutritious compared to the tubers. Cassava is the most
important food crop in the country in terms of volume of production and consumption.

The tubers are prepared into various forms of edible foods. Dried cassava chips are
milled into flour which is used in cooking fufu. Cassava tubers are also pounded,
fermented and prepared into a paste like substance which is ready to eat called
chikwangue. The leaves are cooked into vegetable stew referred locally as pondu.
Chikwnague is very popular cassava dish especially in the urban centers.

The use of cassava leaves for human consumption in DRC is quite high as can be seen in
the table above. The leaves are also a major source of income as can be seen in the table
in which 51% of the surveyed households reported that they sold part of their cassava
leaves. The main market center for the leaves is Kinshasa.

The leaves are transported from the rural areas to the main urban centers using pick up
trucks.

Table 9 Percentage of Interviewed Household Who Consumed or Sold Cassava

Leaves

Country % of Respondents using % Sell cassava

Cassava leaves for household leaves
consumption
Kenya 43.9
Rwanda 44.6
Burundi 91 1.5
DRC 87 51
Madagascar 88.6 51
Uganda

Utilization of Cassava As Animal Feed

In DRC only 14.9% of the interviewed households reported that they fed cassava to their
livestock. In Madagascar 44.4% of the respondents reported that they fed various forms
of livestock with cassava, while in Kenya 29.2% also reported feeding cassava to
livestock.

Table 10 Percentage of Interviewed Households Who Fed Cassava to Livestock

Country % of respondents Feeding

Cassava to livestock
Kenya 29.2
Rwanda 3.4
Burundi 8.5
DRC 14.9
Madagascar 44.4
 Uganda

The low use of cassava for animal feeds inn DRC may be explained by the fact that the
country does not have a strong livestock sector. The other factor is that the country
owing to its tropical climate has sufficient natural pastures for its livestock. Cassava is
also grown more as a food crop than industrial or commercial crop in the country.

Industrial Utilization of Cassava

There was no evidence during this survey of industrial use of cassava in the country.
However, some potential use may be found in the textile and bread and biscuits industries
in the country. Another potential industrial consumer is the brewery industry, but there is
no local manufacture of cassava starch which can be used in the brewery industry.

The potential use of cassava in the textile and bread and biscuits industries may be
investigated through a specific study.

CONSLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Cassava remains an important food crop and source of income to many rural and urban
households in DRC. Both leaves and tubers are important sources of food for majority of
the people. They are also an important source of direct income to farmers, traders,
transporters and input suppliers. Based on the available statistics cassava will continue to
occupy the number one position in food crops in the country for the foreseeable future.

The Government and the donor agencies have recognized the importance of the sub-
sector in the country and especially in relation to food security and initiated various
measures to promote and sustain the sub-sector.

In the area of research INERA, through the cassava research programme (PRONAM) has
played the leading role in breeding, germplasm development and agronomic research. It
has worked closely with other agencies such as University of Kinshasa, SNV, CRENK,
and IITA/EARRNET in the area of biological and socio-economic research and
technology transfer.

Other important agencies in the development of the cassava sub-sector in the country
include donors (Belgium Cooperation Agency, UNDP, FAO, and EU), NGOs (CADIM,
FOLECO, Red Cross, and APPRODEC). Most of these agencies have intervened in the
area of technology transfer (planting material multiplication and distribution and capacity
building). Others have programmes that address community capacity in marketing and
transportation of cassava products.
Whereas the cassava sub-sector plays and important role in the country, its future seems
to be threatened by a number of factors, the main ones being the African Cassava Mosaic
Diseases with a combination of other diseases and pests, low level of technological
development and adoption in production, and processing.

FAO has initiated a cassava working group in the country with the aim of coordinating all
cassava development activities in the country and addressing the most pressing needs
from a common front. This group comprises the main stakeholders in the cassava sub-
sector in the country and interested donors.

The efforts being made by the cassava working group in the country need to be
recognized and strengthened by bringing more stakeholders into the fold and having
formalized working agenda and mandate. The group should also focus on more broad
issues of the sub-sector beyond the sanitary and multiplication and distribution issues
emphasized at the moment.

Areas that would need attention would include strengthening INERA’s capacity through
training, technical assistance and resource allocation. Research into post-harvest issues
focusing on broadening the range of processed and marketed products need to be
undertaken. Existing processing technologies are also inefficient and need to be
improved so that resulting products are made more attractive and competitive in the
market.

The marketing issues raised also need to be addressed to ensure farmers get better returns
for their cassava.

Specific Recommendations

Production Level

Improve Multiplication and Distribution of Farmer Preferred Varieties

Improve Dissemination of Extension Messages

Improve Linkages With Other International Agencies Such IITA, EARRNET to Tap
Improved Technologies

Improve Research Funding

Post-Harvest

Improved Drying Technologies for Cassava Chips

Improve Processing Technologies for Cassava Flour to Achieve Desired Attributes

Improve Linkages Between Farmers and Processors in Urban Centres

Promote Industrial Use of Cassava Such as in Large Scale Milling, Confectionary etc.

Marketing

Establish a Market Information Service for Main Commodities Including Cassava

Need to Have Appropriate Market Infrastructure in Main Urban Centres (Space, Storage,
Sanitation etc).

Utilization

Need to Diversify Consumable Cassava Products

Improve the Quality and Standardization of Existing Products Through Improved

Technologies

Develop an Recipe Cassava Extension Manual for Use for Nutrition Extensionists

Policy Level

Promote Cassava for Food Security

Coordinate All Cassava Activities Among Various Institutions in The Country Through
Establishment of a Cassava Working Group

Make a Deliberate Attempt to Promote Improved Processing Technologies for Cassava

Revise Punitive Taxes that Discourage Cassava Trade

Consider Availing Credit to Cassava Traders (Micro-Credit Scheme Can Be Established)

REFERENCES

Ad Spijkers, FAOR, DRC, Field Visit Report, INERA, Mvuazi Station, Bas-Congo, 21 –
22 July, 2000.
FAO, 1970: from Nweke, et al, COSCA 22 page 3
Plucknett, D. L. et al. A Global Development Strategy for Cassava: Transforming a Traditional
Tropical Root Crop. Jan. 1998 draft report.

Service National des Statistiques Agricoles, 2000.

Tollens, E. Cassava Marketing in Zaire – An Analysis of its Structure, Conduct and Performance.
Katholieke Universitetiet Leuven, Belgium (Mimeograph), 1992.