Progress Report Grant 6

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1. Processing equipment:

The cassava chippers from Kampala were delivered to the root / tuber programme at Kibaha in October 2000. The 2 chippers were not used immediately. SARRNET regional scientist took them for further modification. The Kalimatakijai women group received the cassva chipper on 20^th February 2001, while the Kwa Mathias women group received it on 29^th March 2001.

2. Kalimatakijai Women group (Dar es Salaam)

The Kalimatakijai women group is composed of 15 members, with only 8 being very active. The group was established in 1990 and the previous activities done included;

i)                    Making tie and dye cloth

ii)                   Preparation of Hema (Local nail vanish)

iii)                 Cultivation of Mushrooms

The group has a central meeting place where they carry out their activities. The three activities have stopped due to greater competition from Dar es Salaam.

3. Kwa Mathias Women group:

The Kwa Mathias women group is composed of 5 active members. The group was established in 1998 and the activities commonly carried out included the growing of vegetables such as cucumber, okra sweet pepper and sweet potatoes. The group does not have a central meeting place and most of their activities are conducted at the chairperson’s place.

4.      Training:

Training on cassava processing was done in February with the Kalimatakajai women group and in March 2001 with the Kwa Mathias group. The topics handled included; how to process high quality cassava flour, how to operate the chipper and the marketing of cassava products.

5.      Promotion issues:

In order to popularize the high quality cassava flour, the Kwa Mathias group participated in the ‘World Women Day’ celebrations held nationally at Kibaha. Both the cassava equipment and the products were displayed for 3 consecutive days. From 6^th to 8^th March 2001. The group received a certificate of participation.

6.      Problems Faced

i)                    The group ahs very little experience in the marketing aspects. They have to identify the new marketing channels/ outlets or intervene the old marketing channels. Normally traders would go to Kigoma or Tanga to bring fermented cassava flour to sell at different outlets like Kariakoo, Kisutu or Manzese markets.

ii)                   The price of cassava roots is relatively high at the buying points. They buy at Tsh. 3,000 or more per bag of 80 kg of fresh roots. Due to this, the selling price of cassava flour should also be high, above Tsh.200  per kg.

iii)                 The Kalimatakijai Women group in Gezaulole is less active in marketing. They are reluctant to process until they are assured of the market.

iv)                 The rain season has begun and the groups are forced to postpone the processing activities until the weather is favourable.

Follow Up:

1.      The project leaders are trying to link the groups with some entrepreneurs in Dar es Salaam. A few of them operating in the Kariokoo Market have shown interest.

2.      Packaging of cassava flour is the next activity. The appropriate packaging materials have to be identified with the help of project leaders.

3.      Some customers are interested in white fermented flour. We are in the process making trials to determine the best soaking hours for chips, because customers have complained about the sweet taste in flour made in one day. Later, cassava flour will be marketed in two categories; the unfermented and the fermented.

4.      Through exhibition during the “World Women Day” many women groups applied for training. This is planed to be on-station or on-farm.