Glossary and Abbreviations - Unido

Preface
UNIDO has emphasized micro/small-scale business development in its technical assistance
programmes as a mean to contribute to economic growth and poverty reduction in Africa in
general and Uganda in particular. This technology manual is an important tool that
contributes to the capacity building activities carried out by UNIDO in the small-scale foodprocessing
sector within the framework of the UNIDO Uganda Integrated Programme:
Enhanced Competitiveness and Sustainability of Industrial Development – Agro-industries
and Micro/Small-scale Enterprises.
The purpose of this manual is to guide the small-scale root crop and tuber processor in
Uganda to optimize their processing methods and implement quality assurance schemes
and GHP (Good Hygienic Practices) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) programmes
thus building their technical capacity for improved market access and competitiveness. In
general, root crop processing offers good opportunities for small-scale businesses in
Uganda. This is because:
• Raw materials are readily available (often in surplus - Uganda is the world’s third
largest producer of sweet potato).
• Equipment is affordable.
• Products are in demand both as staples for daily consumption and as snack foods.
The main types of root crops and tubers in Uganda are cassava, sweet potato and Irish
potato, and to a lesser extent yam and cocoyam. Processing these root crops and tubers is
intended to do two things:
1. Preserves them by slowing down the natural processes of decay caused by microorganisms,
enzymes in the roots, or other factors such as heat, moisture and
sunlight.
2. Changes them into different foods that are attractive and add variety to the diet.
Processors should use their skills to develop safe, attractive products that consumers
want to eat. By doing this successfully, they are able to earn an income.
Although it is possible to earn a living from selling dried chips or flour made from root crops
and tubers, the amount of ‘added value’ is limited and the volumes of crop involved are
relatively high. The best types of products for profitable small-scale production are those that
have a high added value as well as a good demand (especially snack foods). A high added
value means that a smaller scale of processing is needed to earn a reasonable income, and
the process uses smaller equipment that is more affordable. Small-scale root crop and tuber
processors have many competitors in Uganda for chips and flour, as well as competing with
imported snack food products. To successfully compete, it is essential to produce high
quality chips and flours at competitive prices, and for snack foods to also have attractive
packaging and presentation.
This technology manual covers technical aspects of root crop and tuber processing to
produce safe, high quality products. It does not deal with the many other aspects of
operating a successful small business (such as marketing, business and financial planning
and management skills). Institutions listed in Annex A can provide more information on
these topics. They are also covered by training opportunities being developed by the
Uganda Cottage Scale Food Processors Association (UCOFPA) under the UNIDO Post-
Harvest and Small Scale Food Processing Technologies Programme.
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