Expanding the Application of Cassava Value Chain Technologies Through UPoCA Project

Cassava can play a key role in rural economic growth in Africa, but are we there yet? Cassava varieties with 50% more yielding potential and technologies to boost processing and marketing of cassava are available. However, the sub-sector is constrained by low productivity and marketing difficulties. In 2008, USAID and IITA initiated the project “Unleashing the Power of Cassava in Response to Food Price Crisis (UPOCA) as a multi-country and inter-institutional partnership enabling cassava sub-sectors to realize their full potential in rural economies. By end 2009, small holder beneficiaries associated with 55 partner organizations and 11 agricultural related firms established 306 community cassava stem multiplication sites and root production farms totalling 10,097ha with 58 improved varieties. Through experiential learning, 345 men and 142 women learnt improved techniques in cassava production, processing, product development, and packaging/labelling. The evolving achievements show that a longer-term cassava R4D partnership platform of this nature will enable the sub-sector to contribute significantly to rural economic growth in Africa.