Highlights

Cassava processing innovations turn around smallholder farmers' socio-economic status

A cassava processing innovation introduced by Farm Concern International (FCI) now reduces cassava chunks drying time from seven to two days during sunny periods. This saves time especially for the women who are involved in household cassava processing and drying. Traditionally, cassava processing technologies use rudimentary processing methods that are often very time-consuming and laborious. . Read More

Project triggers market demand for improved cassava varieties in East Africa

The Cassava Commercialization and Processing Programme supported by Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa and implemented by Farm Concern International has seen demand for clean and improved varieties and the prices of cassava cuttings increase tremendously in East Africa. In Kenya, the price increment was 25% in Busia, 200% in Uganda and 66.7% in Arusha, Tanzania.. Read More

Cassava Farmers Crack Open the Door to Bigger Markets through Value Addition

Armed with simple technologies adapted for family and community use, cassava farmers in Makueni County, Eastern Kenya have cracked open the access code to previously impenetrable markets thereby attracting various categories of buyers from far and wide and making up to USD 2.3 million in the process. Having made the transition from subsistence to commercialisation, the fortunes of once impoverished peasant farmers are being transformed for the better by streamlined marketing systems and favourable market prices... Read More

Adoption of FCI Commercial Village Model Transforms Lives in Makueni

The Cassava Commercialization and Processing Programme implemented by Farm Concern International (FCI) with support from Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa has resulted in tales of transformation across East Africa. Commercial Villages (CVs) in Makueni County contributed Kshs. 566,700 in total, out of which Kshs. 76,000 was used to purchase 38,000 cassava cuttings from the University of Nairobi farm in Kibwezi. Using their savings, members of Mbuvo CV used part of her members savings to purchase a one-acre plot at Ksh. 80,000.. Read More

Interventions for Cassava in East Africa Increases Sales

Smallholder farmers at the end of year three have realized a market value of assorted cassava products worth USD 41,641,960.25 through the Cassava Commercialization and Processing Programme implemented by Farm Concern International (FCI) with support from Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. These included fresh market for roots worth USD 33,500,581, industrial buyers for cassava chips worth USD 8,086,427, cassava cuttings worth USD 45,866 and value added products at USD 9,086.25. ...Read More

Enhance Value Addition for Cassava to Increase Food Security

Value addition is one of the methods appropriate in reducing postharvest loses and increase food security and income to smallholder farmers and other actors along the value chains. Farm Concern International (FCI) has been in the front line to contain post-harvest losses through value addition. Although minimizing postharvest losses of already produced food is more sustainable than increasing production to compensate for these losses, less than 5% of the funding for agricultural research is allocated to postharvest research areas (Kader, 2003)... Read More

Kenya Case Studies

Commercial Village makes Ksh. 2.5M from cassava chunks and chips every month

Commercialization of Cassava has opened an additional financial window to farmers from Tangakona Commercial Village (CV) in Busia, Kenya. Farmers have taken advantage of market demand to supply the much needed cassava and sweet potatoes planting materials in Busia and beyond. This is as a result of commercialization campaigns and market linkages by Farm Concern International under the Cassava Commercialization and Processing Programme supported by Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and implemented by FCI....Read More

Smallholder farmer raises daughter's school fees from Cassava farming

Mr Dickson Ndaka, a 63 year old outstanding cassava farmer, is now able to raise school fees for his daughter and provide other basic needs for his family. This was after Cassava commercialization was introduced in Kathonzweni sub-county, Makueni County by Farm Concern International, FCI, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)... Read more

Farmers establish sustainable cassava seed systems; earn income from selling planting materials

The Cassava Commercialization and Processing Programme supported by Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa and implemented by FCI has brought about a revolution in the cassava seed system in East Africa. The demand for the improved cassava varieties within and beyond the Programme sites is creating an income opportunity for farmers who are establishing themselves as seed multipliers to their Commercial Villages. Read more

Cassava enhances food security and income in Makueni County

The launch of the Cassava Commercialization and Processing Programme supported by Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa and implemented by Farm Concern International has improved food security and source of income for the residents of Makueni County. Eight months after Farm Concern International initiated the programme, cassava farming has fostered the local economy, reduced poverty and hunger among the residents. Read more

Mobile Cassava Chipper transforms the local economy in Tangakona Commercial Village

The introduction of a variety of motorized cassava chippers by Farm Concern International under the Cassava commercialization and processing Programme supported by Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa has transformed the lives of members of Tangakona Commercial Village. The cassava processing innovation now reduces cassava chunks drying time from seven to two days during sunny periods. This saves time especially for the women who are involved in household cassava processing and drying... Read More