Regional Markets

3 Cases
the sun-dried HQCF VC. The total number of stakeholder expected to benefit, either
by selling roots or processing HQCF, is around 1,000 by the end of 2015 (with a potential
expansion to around 6,000).
Table 3.1 Targets for the sun-dried HQCF VC in Malawi
2010 2013 2015 Potential
HQCF production (tons per year) 18.6 300 400 2,000
Number of beneficiaries
Smallholder farmers
Farmer processors
SME employees (1 SME)
Average estimated additional
return per beneficiary (USD per
year)*
Smallholder farmers
Farmer processors
SME employees
38
Not known
5
400
180
101
Not known 156
90
333
100
600
270
101
159
90
333
100
4,000
1,800
0
165
90
333
100
*Based on 2010 prices and estimated production costs excluding labour costs
It is unlikely that the sun-dried HQCF VC can competitively deliver the quality or the
quantities required by urban industrial end users. Therefore, to offer producers of fresh
cassava roots a VC opportunity to participate in the large urban markets, it is necessary
to establish artificial dryers for large-scale processing. These flash dryers, fabricated
in Africa with a capacity to turn out one to two tons of dried product per day, can
deliver high-quality dried cassava consistently and in large volumes. Table 3.2 gives the
estimated targets for the artificially dried HQCF VC. The average estimated benefit
per smallholder in the artificially dried HQCF VC (USD 105 per year) is lower than
the average benefit in the sundried
HQCF VC (USD 156
per year). However, the number
of beneficiaries that can
benefit from the artificially
dried HQCF VC is larger
because of its scale of operation.
It is estimated that by the
end of 2015 over 6,000 smallholders
can benefit by either
selling fresh roots or being
involved in processing (with
a total estimated potential of
close to 10,000 smallholders).
Tiyamike Processors Group in Zomba District, Malawi
Photo: Lora Forsythe
65