Cassava Village Processing Project (CVPP) is a project, which is implemented by Farm Concern International (FCI) and supported by Alliance for a Green Revolution for Africa (AGRA).
Implemented in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, the project develops a Village-based cassava value addition system for increased alternative utilization of cassava at household and industrial level and for improved rural livelihoods through food and income security. This, it does by promoting cassava production, encourages the consumption of processed cassava and provides market linkages and public-private sector partnerships.

The project also serves as an avenue for innovation in cassava commercialization and increased cassava value addition. This is will initially address the food security challenges in the semi-arid regions where cassava presents high adaptation and an eventual graduate into commercial, hence address the food and income security of 30,000 households-representing a population of 150,000 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. With an estimated ¾ acre cassava production, ¼ for household consumption and ½ acre for market access. The project employs product, technological, marketing and value transformation innovations to ensure market entry for cassava at all levels of market segments, ranging from rural and urban consumers to village industries and large-scale industries. Cassava’s competitiveness as an energy source is based on its unique drought resistance characteristic and product diversification. Cassava is an East African food which has been, over the years, pushed out of the menu list due to evolving cultures and dynamic diets.

Commercial Villages and Smallholder Farmers Engagement

Over 12,000 participating smallholder farmers are drawn from 214 villages in the three countries. The villages are currently under an intense commercialization process and trade meetings with various industrial players have taken place, creating hope and new marketing horizons for smallholders.

Products
The products promoted under CVPP include; cassava flour, cassava chips, cassava breakfast/snack flakes, cassava chips, starch, glue, ethanol, cassava leaves, fresh roots and cassava as an ingredient in animal feeds.

Technological Innovations under CVPP

Mobile-chipping equipment with industrial capacity has been designed to offer mobile services for various villages. Cassava chips with appropriate moisture content of 12-14 % and packaged in sealed polythene bags (to prevent weevils attack and keep out air) records a storage period of 24 months.

Mobile cassava breakfast/snack processing kit: Mobile hydraulic-driven equipment and frying pans are designed to allow micro-processing for a top quality pre-cooked snack with a storage period of 12 months.

Quality control: A village sub-committee competently trained on buyer specifications and food handling requirements manages village-based quality control component.

Village processing units equipped to serve several villages, offer various services and a fee per unit of village processing has been developed to ensure sustainability.

Promotional Campaigns: Image building initiatives for cassava for rural and urban consumers have targeted consumers with information on utilization and an alternative energy source. The mystery of poisonous cassava is consistently dealt with and clear messages imparted on drying cassava as a treatment for cyanide content.

Villages Saving: Mobilizing savings based on village sales has turned around the smallholders’ perception of their own power of resource mobilization and the gradual possibility for reduced credit burden. Village savings concept promotes a culture of saving and builds a village-based fund for agricultural investment.

Youth participation: Commercialization of cassava and graduation of cassava into a cash crop is changing the image of cassava and has resulted in an increased youth representation in the core business of villages. Current participation of smallholder famers below 35 years is 23% in Uganda, 39% in Tanzania and 18% in Kenya.

Project Partnerships: Partnerships under CVPP have strategically been developed with private sector companies including animal feeds processors, ethanol processors, informal traders, food processors, starch & glue processors and Research stations for seed multiplication they include Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, National Research Organization – Uganda and Horti Research Station in Tanzania.

Cassava facts

Dried cassava is ground to prepare porridge and ugali, a staple food in Kenya.
Cassava four is used in preparation of a very nutritious breakfast/snacks for children, locally known as ‘gari’-A dry fermented and gelatinized coarse meal. It is mixed into a paste with hot or cold water and eaten with soups or stews. It’s also used as snack when mixed with milk and sugar. It is often consumed as the main meal in the form of dough or a thin porridge.
Cassava is used as a a major raw material for baking bread, chapati and mandazi.
Cassava leaves are very nutritious with high protein levels equivalent to that of an egg.
Cassava is a competitive energy source for animal feeds.
Cassava chips are used to produce ethanol in many countries. Attempts are being made worldwide to increase the use of ethanol as opposed to petroleum. For example, under the Development Plan for Renewable Energy, the Eleventh Five-Year Plan of the People's Republic of China targets to increase the use of ethanol fuel to 2 million tons by 2010. This will be equivalent to a substitute of 10 million tons of petroleum.
Cassava flour is used to manufacturer sugar syrups and adhesives used to glue together plywood.
Cassava is used as animal feed. It is a good source of roughage for dairy, beef, buffalo, goats, and sheep by either direct feeding or as a protein source in the concentrate mixtures.

Tips for improved cassava production
• Ensure you use the improved high yielding varieties
• Use disease free planting Materials
• Cassava production requires good land preparation.
• Cassava should be planted at the onset of rains.
• Use the recommended spacing for optimal tuber production (1m× 1m)
• Use the appropriate and cost effective weed control technology
• Use Fertilizer (compound and foliar feeds) and manure to boost commercial production