Annual Report 2012 - African Agricultural Technology Foundation

Cassava Mechanisation and Agro-processing Project
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this, the Project supported the farmers in land preparation, and provided
inputs such as cassava cuttings, fertiliser, as well as technical knowhow
of planting and crop management.
To support the success of the Project partnership, baseline information
on participating farmers was collected and a preliminary assessment of
the current cassava production technologies and marketing initiatives in
the country carried out. Sources of cassava planting materials and other
inputs were also identified.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) and a contract with the
Zambia Agricultural Research Institute who will assist AATF in the
coordination of the Project in the country was signed in September 2012.
Activities in Nigeria
In Nigeria, the Project identified 100 farmers each with one hectare (100ha)
in Kwara and Osun States to participate in the pilot phase. AATF signed
an MOU with the National Root Crop Research Institute, the National
Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation, and the Kwara and Osun State
ministries of agriculture to enable the Project kick-off. Planting in the two
states is expected to begin in April 2013.
Africa is the world’s largest cassava producing region, accounting
for nearly 55 percent of the world’s output despite the fact that yields on
the continent are the lowest in the world (10 tonnes per hectare compared
to 26 tonnes per hectare in India). In addition, market opportunities for
cassava in Africa are limited compared to other cassava-producing regions.
This has resulted in farmers not adopting technologies which enhance
productivity for lack of access to markets for excess produce. CAMAP will
work to address these constraints in an effort to make cassava farming a
viable business.
‘As the Project progresses into 2013, the acreage under CAMAP will
be upscaled to cover 200 hectares in Zambia and 300 hectares in Nigeria for
the 2013/2014 planting season,’ says Mr George Marechera, the Business
Development Manager at AATF who is also in-charge of the Project.
‘The Project is set to positively impact the cassava industry and also
present market opportunities for farmers given the recent government
directive to incorporate 20 percent cassava flour in each package of 20kg
mealie meal and the possibility of setting up a brewing factory to produce
beer from cassava in Zambia and the mandated incorporation of cassava
flour in bread making in Nigeria,’ adds Mr Marechera.
Deploying agricultural technologies for farmers