Introduction

In October 1995, USAID announced a call for proposals for technology transfer projects. IITA in collaboration with PLAN International submitted a proposal entitled "Micro-Projects for Increased Rural Based Cassava Processing in Luwero District Uganda" The aim of this proposal was to introduce cassava based technologies at the farm level and set up a small scale cassava processing centre in Luwero district, Uganda. The goal of the project was to provide increased food security and income generating opportunities. The project set out to provide more efficient methods of safe cassava processing, develop higher quality cassava products and thus provide a higher level of cash enterprise and employment based on processing of this primary staple food.

The problems

In Uganda, cassava production has been decimated by a new and virulent form of the African cassava mosaic disease. In many parts of Uganda, farmers have abandoned cassava production and this has seriously effected food security at the household and country level. In the Luwero district many villages were unable to grow local varieties of cassava but still purchased cassava flour which is made in other parts of the country. Villagers paid higher prices for their cassava flour than in major urban centres because cassava processing was limited, and in many areas processing equipment is at the household level. Currently a large percentage of cassava which is used for flour production grown in remote areas, milled in the major towns and then redistributed across the country, explaining the high price of this staple food commodity.

The components involved in the process of technology transfer:-

Identification of community partners based in areas with viable locational links to a major market.

Introduction of a cassava variety, resistant to the African cassava mosaic virus, selected variety was TMS 30572, an IITA variety which was multiplied and delivered to the target communities.

Delivery of power driven processing equipment to the target client groups.

Training groups in crop processing, storage, product development and quality control technologies for their micro-enterprises.

Training the target group / community in simple financial book keeping operations.

Training personnel in food processing methods, equipment operation and maintenance.

Working with the group to develop sustainable marketing links.
Support, monitoring and capacity building from IITA - PLAN to the farming community

Partners

IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture) is a research institute which has the continental mandate for cassava improvement in sub-Saharan Africa. IITA uses a multi-disciplinary approach for improvement, protection and increased utilisation of the cassava crop. In 1993 the Ministry of Agriculture of the Government of Uganda invited IITA to establish a regional centre for East and Southern Africa (ESARC) for the improvement of cassava, plantain and banana. ESARC, serves as the headquarters of the East African Root Crops Research Network, EARRNET. As part of the set up costs, ESARC developed a purpose built postharvest laboratory, which is a technology development and delivery.

PLAN, founded in 1937, is an International humanitarian child focused, development organisation without religious, political or governmental affiliation. The Luwero program in Uganda started in 1992 and currently covers the sub counties of Zirobwe, Kalagala, Bamunanika, Nyimbwa, Luwero, Katikamu and the town councils of Bombo and Luwero. There are four major program operational sectors, namely:- Growing up healthy, Habitat, Learning and Livelihood. Agricultural activities are funded within Livelihood. In agriculture, PLAN aims to improve food security and increase family incomes. Projects are implemented in collaboration with other institutions, such as National programmes, National extension services, NGOs, International Centres and various donors.

The farmers Group (Ezinunula Omunaku) were existing before the project was developed. This group were organised to receive credit under PLAN-MED. The group expressed an interest in farming as a way to broaden their income base. The leaders of the group submitted the names to the PLAN co-ordinator, and were assisted in opening up fields for production of cassava.

Summary of the project activities

(i) Distributing and planting of cuttings

In April-May 1996, 15,000 cassava cuttings were supplied for farmers to plant the 10.5 acres. A multiplication garden of 1.6 ha plot was planted in November 1996. Farmers were financially assisted in ploughing the area. The land was inter cropped with other short term pulse crops such as soybean and field beans. The first problem encountered by the project members was that the area was highly prone to termites and therefore, it was necessary to spray the fields with "Ambush" and replace damaged cuttings. Fields were regularly evaluated by IITA scientists and the PLAN co-ordinator for field conditions and farmer performance.

(ii) Training

The first training was production based in the farmers gardens.
The second training session was on cassava processing at Namulonge Station.

Farmers and wives were shown different types of cassava processing equipment and the methods used to transform cassava tubers into flour. The group was trained in how to prepare a number of cooked products from cassava flour.

The third training in March 1997, was at Kalagala trading centre and involved training and demonstration of the equipment that were supplied to the farmers to process their cassava.

Training was provided to the women by PLAN / OFPEP/ IITA in how to prepare cassava products using the cassava flour on local stoves.

(iii) Processing and Marketing

Farmers were financially assisted with transport to bring the first batches of tubers from the garden to a central processing centre. Due to the distance, it took four weeks before the first garden of 1.25 acres was completed. Subsequent harvests were faster as the fields were nearer and the farmers became more accustomed to the processing techniques.

During a rapid and informal surveys of the markets and kiosks in Kalagala and Bombo vicinity, it was noted that kiosk traders were selling cassava flour alongside maize flour. The price of cassava flour ranged from 300-500 Uganda shillings / kg (Ushs), whereas, maize flour was selling a 600-700 Ushs/kg. Traders confirmed that cassava flour was supplied in bulk from the Jinja mills. In Kampala, cassava flour was sold at 300-400 Ushs/kg. and the higher cost in Kalagala was presumably due to the higher transport cost from Kampala to Luwero District.

Records of the production and processing

There were 9 farmers involved in the first year project and the following output (kg) was processed:-

Mr. Kasozi	2,000
Mr. Kibirango	1,900
Ms. Mayi	1,859
Mr. Kimuli	1,850
Five members	5,459
Total of members	13,100

The conversion rate of cassava flour from roots is approximately 4:1. It can be estimated that the farmers produced approximately 60 tonnes of roots. This translates to a production level of approximately 15 tonnes per hectare, which is considerably higher than the national average of approximately 7 tonnes per hectare using local varieties, in the absence of disease.

The price for cassava flour ranged from 380-500 Ushg. The majority was sold at 400 per kg, which generated an approximate revenue to the project members of 5,240,000 Ushg, ($5000). The main buyer was Kassa-mill in Nakawa central market, Kampala. Five 100 kg sacks were sold locally, in 1 kg lots, from the homes of the farmers and each family was requested to retain at least two 100 kg sacks for their own food reserves.

Project Administration

The project members were organised into a structured group having a chairperson, secretary and treasurer. These members oversaw the financial and physical running of the project. Technical assistance was provided from PLAN and IITA-ESARC. There was an agreement between the district and PLAN and another one between PLAN and the Group to ensure all parties understood their roles in the project. The group provides a narrative report monthly with a financial report, because under PLAN, this project is considered a community managed project and therefore must fulfil the audit requirements.

Sustainability Programme

(I) Planting material

Excess stems from the original group were used to establish a second group which planted 8 ha in Kalule, Nyimbwa parish. The multiplication garden was used to plant an additional 2 ha of mosaic resistant cassava. After harvesting, processing and selling, the original group members replanted 4 ha and an additional 5 ha. The total in September 1997 was 17 ha.

(ii) Financial sustainability

The proceeds from the sales of flour were divided into 3 categories.

(1) - The first third of the funds was banked into a group account. These funds were then used to assist new members in the group to plough land, and to purchase of insecticide and processing materials as required.

(2) - The second third of the fund was considered as direct profit to the farmer (owner of the garden), to cater for family needs (medical, school fees and other social obligations)

(3) - The final third was advised to be reinvested into the farms. There was no obligation to re-investment into the farm but the caveat was that farmers would not be assisted in subsequent years for land preparation and processing costs. These funds were used for clearing old garden and expansion if necessary, harvesting and processing costs, and for purchase of farm tools and implements.

At the time of harvest, stems were shared between the farmer in the group and to new members. Stems were also given to people who were not a member of the group. In the 1998 season it is expected that stems may be sold and this is becoming a highly lucrative option for cassava farmers who are using the new resistant varieties.

General Comments and Recommendations.

The project has so far achieved its stated objectives.

A new technology was transferred.

A new farming method were introduced to the farming community.

Village level processing was successfully integrated into the farming system Farmers played an active role in marketing their goods.

Farmers incomes increased. School fees were assured, an important step in village development.

The group addressed the issue of hunger (each family kept two sacks + for home consumption).

Employment was created, as an immediate effect of having to process the cassava. In future the group aims to set up a bakery using local material and will be using cassava flour for their products.

The group has already diversified their activities by starting a goat project from the income realised which will be able to sustain them through the months before the next harvest to meet expenses.

The project revealed that once the process was set up that book keeping and marketing were the most necessary areas for capacity building within the group.

In order for the project and similar projects to multiply there is need to enable farmers to access loans of up to $2500, at reasonable rates of return, the current banking rate of up to 38% in Uganda does not enable farmers to make the much needed step towards small scale mechanisation

Lessons/Recommendations

Team work is a major factor in the success of such community projects. Routine supervision from the co-ordinators and scientists was very important in correcting problems as they occurred. Now that the group has entered the second phase of the project it will be important to deliver whatever is needed for the operation of the project in a timely manner. The group however, needs to drive the project once established, they need to solicit new partners, gain experience in marketing and thereafter supply their clients.

Transportation of tubers from the field to the processing centre was a problem, especially from the more remote fields. To overcome this in the second season, a donkey and cart were incorporated at the project site to transport the tubers.

The on-farm processing produces a coarse flour, this flour is milled using a hammer mill to prepare the cassava flour for retailing. The project site is not connected to the national electrical grid and therefore a mobile hammer mill has been constructed for testing at this project site. The mill has the advantage that it can be mounted on the donkey cart and moved between villages for multi-crop flour making, i.e. cassava, maize, beans etc.

Internal rate of return on the project.

An overall economic analysis was conducted on the project by an independent economist. This study revealed that the internal rate of return for the current level of production was 23% and that this would increase to 30% with the intended increase in production.

Spin-off from the project

Although there were some doubts about the Luwero project from collaborators at first , the introduction of the equipment and the profitable developments generated has met with much interest, from NGOs, national programmes, research institutes and community based organisations. As a result Appropriate technology (AT Uganda), Sesakawa G-2000, ACORD, Serere Research Station, the National postharvest programme, are now setting up similar processing project in Uganda.

New developments are also being made in regard to the processing equipment. Having the opportunity to test the equipment on-farm in a commercial setting led to several changes to the equipment design, to make it more efficient and safer. New equipment designs should ensure simpler processing. This project site is now in its third year of operation.

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