Maravi

FAO launches 2nd phase of cassava processing

FAO launches 2nd phase of cassava processing
By Mutale Kapekele
Wed 03 Feb. 2010, 04:01 CAT

THE second phase of the US $4.5 million small-scale cassava processing and vertical integration of the cassava sub-sector in southern and eastern Africa was yesterday launched in Lusaka under the supervision of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

During the launch of the project, which is funded by the Common Fund for commodities (CAF), Adam Prakash from the FAO secretariat in Rome, said the international market was now placing importance on cassava as an income generating crop.

Prakash said cassava was no longer just a food security safeguard for some countries but a crop that could compete effectively on the international market.

“The international community is placing great importance on cassava,” Prakash said. “This is an advantage for countries producing cassava and where there is comparative advantage, use it. Cassava is not susceptible to international food prices because it is thinly traded making it not just a food security safeguard but also an income generating crop with huge potential.”

He said FAO was predicting a rise in food prices and urged countries in the region to consider substituting crops like wheat for cassava as a safeguard.

“If you want to trade in crops like wheat internationally, you need a lot of foreign exchange but for cassava, you can use the local currency because most of the market is here and save that foreign exchange,” he said. “We need to begin to substitute cassava for wheat and other cash crops and convince consumers that it is also just as good. FAO deems cassava as an important crop for small holders who can become commercial with a bit of effort.”

Earlier, Zambia Agricultural Research institute (ZARI) director Dr Watson Mwale called for improvements in processing technologies of cassava.

“In the first phase of the project, from 2003 to 2007, some simple marketing-oriented technologies were introduced,” said Dr Mwale. “We need to make more improvements to allow farmers transform fresh cassava, which is highly perishable into stable market grade intermediate products such as chips or high quality cassava flour.”

Labels: CASSAVA, FAO

posted by MrK @ 7:00 PM