Contribution of cassava value addition on reduction of poverty for smallholder farmers in Bagamoyo district

Dessertation

Cassava (Manihot spp.} has become an important crop in many parts of the world for processing into several human foods and industrial products. In poorer developing countries of the tropical and semi-tropical climate cassava has become a major source of revenue, contributing significantly to industrial development, food security and livelihoods. The objective of the study was to assess the contribution of cassava value addition on reduction of poverty for smallholder farmers. The study was conducted in Bagamoyo, 120 producers/farmers and 25 actors in the cassava production and value addition participated. Data collected was summarized using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) and content analysis. Analysis of data shows that value addition was done by producers after flour making, grading cassava in size, sun dried cassava to reduce moisture content respectively. In general on farm value adding technologies became difficult because most of cassava producers/processors don’t have cassava processing machines. Low on farm value adding technologies is a result of poor quality of value added cassava products. Three main marketing channels exist in the study area: Producers selling directly to consumers; producers to retailers to consumer; and producers to hawkers/village vendors to consumer. Also data showed that majority of producers /processors don’t pack their products (flour) or use plastic bags instead of using paper bag. The sub-sector in general faces a number of structural and technological problems that need immediate attention to help smallholder farmers in reduction of poverty. The study revealed that value added cassava have more profit than raw cassava. The mean gross margin of value added cassava was 621 000 Tshs/ha while the mean gross margin of raw cassava was 275 000 Tshs/ha. The GM difference is 346 000 Tshs. This implies that value added is more profitable than raw cassava.

Presidential Office and Civil Service