Mr. Amor Juma Mohamed is a 45 year old farmer and trader in Donge Commercial Village in Donde Vijibweni North B Dstrict – Zanzibar where he lives with his wife and 2 children.

Mr. Amor joined the CV in 2015 after commercialization campaigns conducted by Farm Concern International under the Cassava Village Processing Programme funded by USAID through Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa. The campaigns focused on awareness on the commercial value of cassava agri-business, training on good agronomical practices (planting in ridges, proper spacing, use of improved seeds –Kizimbani, use of manure and weeding), market linkage and processing of fresh cassava for value addition. 

“I took the challenge from Farm Concern International (FCI) and Zanzibar Research Institute (ZARI) and planted my one acre with cassava where I harvested 45 bags of 25kg each and sold at TSh 15,000 (USD 7) then increased to 2 acres where I harvested 70 bags of 25kg of fresh cassava and sold at Tsh 15,000 (USD 7) earning TSh 1,050,000 (USD 525) every season.”

The commercialization campaigns and Village Business forums made a lifetime transformation in the life of Amor since they helped him see the commercial value in cassava farming and trading. He initiated a cassava business where he would buy cassava from the Commercial Village and sell to wholesalers in the nearest markets. “The business has changed my life for the better. In a season I trade 400bags of fresh cassava and obtain Tsh 3000 (USD 1.5) of profit for every bag which makes a total of TSh 1,200,000 (USD 600),” remarks an elated Amor

 

Amor has been able to build a house and support his family as a result of cassava farming and trading.