Flash Dryer technology eases commercial cassava processing in Northern Uganda
Feeding wet cassava cake into the flash dryer to obtain Hiqh Quality Cassava Flour(HQCF), a product highly valued on the market today for its versatile use in many industries
Farmers engaged in cassava value addition in the Lango region are smiling home after an upgrade from open air processing to use of high precision indoor modern cassava flash dryers, a technology that offers the best answer to weather challenges especially during wet seasons when cassava processing comes under burdens of rains, thus affecting the quality of the end product as it takes longer to dry and is also exposed to contaminations of all sorts. 75% of the farming households in Northern Uganda grow cassava, a crop the region highly depends on as a staple.
The flash dryer is a state of the art machine designed to dry wet cassava mash extracted from the cassava graters into High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) within 3 minutes ready for human and commercial use. The technology was introduced to investors of Wind Wood Millers Limited and Adyaka Wholesalers Limited in Lira and Apac districts, Northern Uganda, under the Cassava Adding Value for Africa- Phase Two (CAVA II) project implemented by the Africa Innovations Institute (AfrII).
The Country Manager CAVA II Uganda, Mr. Francis Alacho says the industrial potential in cassava is high and technologies such as the flash dryer will greatly release this potential. He says “cassava has for a long time been traditionally taken as a famine crop grown mainly to ensure food security in homes, and largely regarded as a food for the poor. But, research on the crop has shown its versatility as a highly commercial crop used in various industries.” “If processed, you end up with raw materials that many industries need.” He adds.
Realizing this potential, the CAVA Project provided technical back stopping, knowledge and skills development to beneficiaries trained in value addition along the cassava value chain. “As CAVA II project, engaged in increasing the income of smaller holder farmers through participation in profitable, sustainable value addition, we sold the idea to commercial farmers where to find modern Flash Dryers to up their value addition capacity. Ours is to make linkages for technologies, markets and high improved yielding cassava varieties to farmers,” he adds.
Mr. Alacho says the project’s intervention has opened doors to other actors who now realize the potential of cassava as an industrial crop and are now taking initiative to prioritize it.
One of the investors in the technology, Mr. Ivan Okori, the Managing Director at Wind Wood Millers cassava factory in Lira, says the Flash Dryer is sky rocketing processing of fresh cassava tubers into High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF). “The Flash Dryer guarantees constant processing of fresh tubers into quality flour, irrespective of the weather burdens. We no longer rely on sunshine to guarantee output,” says Okori.
Mr. Ivan Okori, the Managing Director of WindWood Millers cassava flash dryer factory in Lira, in an interview with local press during the media tour to witness and widely publicize the two state of the art processing facilities in Lira and Apac districts.
He adds that the factory is constantly supplied fresh cassava root tubers by over 1,000 farmers across the region that have been contracted to supply these on a daily basis to sustain the day to day running of the machine.
Peelers employed by Windwood Millers Limited cassava factory engage in peeling fresh cassava root to be processed into HQCF. These earn between 5000 to 10,000 shillings per day at the factory.
In his experience with the technology, Mr. Sam Opio Ochieng, the proprietor Adyaka Wholesalers Cassava flash dryer factory in Apac district, attests that investment in the machine is highly profiting him as a cassava processor of the Hiqh Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) that he produces in large volumes using the high tech machinery.
The technology has the capacity to process 3 to 7 tons of HQCF in a shift per day.
Mr. Sam Opio of Adyaka Wholesalers Cassava flash dryer factory in Apac district speaks to local press on why he chose to invest in the flash dryer, as a prominent cassava farmer in Lango region
As a Cassava Seed Entrepreneur (CSE), Opio owns over 300 acres of clean cassava gardens in Apac district. Having these gardens has sustained fresh cassava root supply to the factory. Investment in this technology requires one to have 300 to 500 million Uganda shillings.
CAVA II Uganda has linked cassava processors and SME’s to emerging HQCF markets in the pharmaceuticals, breweries, composite flour millers, biscuit, yogurt, sausage, paperboard and bakery industries. The project has so far reached 18,000 beneficiaries including smallholder cassava farmers, Community Processing groups, and SME’s along the cassava value chain in Eastern, Northern and Central Uganda.
The CAVA II project is implemented in 5 African countries of Uganda, Nigeria, Malawi, Tanzania and Ghana with funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the Natural Resources Research Institute-University of Greenwich-UK (NRI).
ICTs for Nutrition, Agriculture, and Time Use: Can we do better than 24-hour recall by using “innovative methods” of nutrition data collection?
In the over fifty years in which explicit efforts have been made to improve nutrition, there have been countless achievements in global understanding of the causes and consequences of malnutrition, and the actions required to change outcomes for women and children. In these same fifty years, technological advances have changed the modern world. We communicate with friends and family everywhere instantaneously on hand-held devices, and track our location, heart rate, and calories burned real-time. The confluence of smartphones with high resolution cameras and widespread access to social media outlets have made first-person photography ubiquitous.
Limitations of traditional methods. However, in this time, the methods to evaluate nutrition and key drivers of nutrition status, such as women’s time use patterns, have changed relatively little. The most widely used method for collecting data on diet quality and women’s time use is the 24-hour recall. Errors and biases introduced by the methodology are known to compromise data quality and pose a challenge to nutrition research. Direct observation, which is the gold standard, is resource intensive, imposes a serious burden on the participant, and likely influences their behavior. It is impractical for the purposes of programmatic evaluation.
Research aims and methods. The objective of the IMMANA-funded[1] ‘Using Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) to understand the relationships between labour- saving agricultural innovations, women’s time use and maternal and child nutrition outcomes’ study is to develop, validate and apply innovative methods to more accurately measure women’s time allocation and maternal and infant dietary diversity in rural Uganda. A multi-disciplinary team from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the Natural Resources Institute (NRI) of the University of Greenwich, and the Africa Innovations Institute (AfrII) set out in eastern Uganda to evaluate new tools and methods to capture maternal and child diet diversity and maternal time use data.
Can you collect nutrition and time use data as reliably (or more reliably) using a wearable camera, GPS logger, and automated interactive voice response (IVR) calls every 4 hours (asking about activities and diet) compared to other methods, and in a more cost-effective and less invasive manner? Over two hundred mothers are participating in a 5-day intensive study, including one 15-hour observation day, one 24-hour diet and time use recall, and two days of “innovative methods”. Dietary diversity scores for mothers and children, and calculations of women’s time allocation across key categories using the ICTs will be validated against results from direct observation, in comparison to the same validation for 24-hour recalls versus direct observation. The feasibility and acceptability of the method will also be assessed.
Early lessons learnt. The ICTs are easily available, inexpensive, and already being used for research in high income country contexts. However, devising a method for rural women with low education and literacy, limited access to electricity, limited exposure to TV or mobile phones, etc. to use photos on a tablet to recall their day posed some unexpected challenges, requiring many iterations of the protocol. It was difficult, for example, for some mothers to orient to a first-person perspective of the photos from their wearable camera – that is, to conceptualize where they were relative to the objects, people, and places in the photos. It was also challenging to devise a method that was both effective and rapid, that struck the right balance between enumerator-driven verses participant-driven interpretation of the photos, and to get enumerators and participants to see the photos as a series of activities rather than discrete snapshots.
Next steps. Conclusions from recent studies of the evidence for the role of maternal time allocation on maternal and child nutrition are limited and mixed, in part due to methodological limitations. A viable alternative to recall methods for diet and time use data collection in rural LICs has the potential to be a game-changer for the field of nutrition, and in particular the field of nutrition-sensitive agriculture. We need high quality impact evaluation data to know what works to improve nutrition. With better evidence provided by shrewd deployment of cost-efficient “innovative methods” – with a lower burden on participants and enumerators than traditional methods – we can design better and more cost-effective interventions to improve nutrition outcomes for women and children globally. The team is wrapping up data collection in early 2018; preliminary results are expected by the end of the year.
Supplementary materials:
- [INATU-pic1] Mother wearing the wearable camera and receiving her first automated IVR call while working in the sugarcane field. Key objectives of pilot testing were to rapidly assess the feasibility and acceptability of the suite of innovative tools.
- [INATU-pic2] IMMANA enumerators “code” wearable camera data before heading to the field the review the photos with mother participants.
- [INATU-pic3] This mother uses photos from her previous day (with the wearable camera) on a tablet to help her remember her activities and foods she and her child ate.
[1] Innovative Methods and Metrics for Agriculture and Nutrition Actions (IMMANA) (http://immana.lcirah.ac.uk/) is a research initiative funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID) and coordinated by the Leverhulme Centre for Integrative Research on Agriculture and Health (LCIRAH). IMMANA aims to accelerate the development of a robust scientific evidence base needed to guide changes in global agriculture and food systems to feed the world’s population in a way that is both healthy and sustainable.
Written by Andrea L. Spray, World Bank Nutrition Consultant and PhD Candidate at LSHTM, with Gwen Varley[1], Jan Priebe1, Joweria Nambooze[2], Elaine Ferguson[3], and Kate Wellard1
[1] Natural Resources Institute (NRI), University of Greenwich (https://www.nri.org/news/2017/innovative-nri-projects-measure-up-tools-for-improved-nutrition)
[2] Africa Innovations Institute (AfrII) (https://www.afrii.org/)
[3] London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) (https://www.lshtm.ac.uk/)
A Youth’s Dreams Come To Life Thanks To The Opportunities Created By The Flash Dryers
Sarah Adong is 24 years old and a single mother with three children. Currently, she works as a peeler at Adyaka Wholesalers Limited, a cassava flash dryer factory in Apac district. In a day, she earns between 4000 to 5000 Uganda shillings. The factory employs various laborers including 10 women peelers for its day to day operations. “The life changing moment of my life was when I was taken on for this job at the cassava factory. I know my future is brighter now, for I am able to make money.” With this employment, Adong is assured of a daily meal for her and the children. But being young, thrilled at her first job and seeming inexperienced with handling money, Adong has a plan. “I intend to join a community generating income program to guide how I will spend my earnings. I now have responsibilities around food supplies and school fees for my children. And for safety purposes, I also have to save up some of my earnings for emergencies that could arise.”
Adong, after peeling, carries the roots to the washing area
She feels rather relieved that she is not yet tied down by demands for school dues. Her eldest child is in primary one, the second is in baby class and the youngest is still at the breast. “Fees is not yet as demanding because my children are still quite young. This gives me the opportunity to plan accordingly and save up as much as I can for their tuition and scholastic materials.” Says a smiling Adong. Aside from her responsibilities, Adong has even much bigger plans. “My dream is to one day own a business of my own and become an influential woman in society. This clever idea (being in a group) provides me with hope.” She says.
Born in Lira district, Adong is the second last of 6 siblings. Due to poverty and its related challenges, she was forced to leave their birth home 3 years ago in search of a job to live better. That is how she ended up in Apac district. Her life in Apac was also however challenging, and being a single mother with no assured income to survive on, her dreams seemed hopeless for sometime. But now, employed and earning, many of her dreams are coming to life including that of looking after her younger sister. “Growing up as orphans was very challenging especially for me and my two sisters. We were under our elder step brothers and life was not smooth. When I got to 21, I moved out of home to try and make a living. It was however hard leaving my little sister (our last born) behind. Now that I have a job, I plan to bring her here and help her get a job as well.” She adds “I know that by the end of the year, I will have saved up enough money to and go get my little sister and give her hope in the future she seems to have given up on.”
Adong infront of the flash dyer facility at Adyaka
Adong’s story is one relatable to many youths in Uganda out there that are faced with life’s challenges and are looking for a better life through employment. For Adong, her dreams are coming to life, thanks to the Cassava Adding Value for Africa Phase Two (CAVA II) Project that has extended such opportunities to the youth and other people through beneficial community projects. The CAVA II Project facilitated the successful installation of the two cassava factories of Windwood Millers Limited and Adyaka Wholesalers Limited in Lira and Apac districts respectively. Each factory needs about 16 tons of Fresh Cassava Root (FCR) per shift which is dried into 4 tons of High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) per shift.
Packaged bags of the HQCF ready for sale
CAVA II is implemented in five African Countries of Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) through the Natural Resources Institute, University of Greenwich, (NRI). Specifically, in Uganda, CAVA II aims to create by 2019 an annual demand for 69,030 tons of FCR from smallholder farmers and incomes from sale of fresh roots and processing by smallholders who will generate at least USD 4.5 Million/ annum for rural communities.
Prominent cassava farmer sets up millions worth cassava commercial building
Mr. Akuttu in front of his millions worth cassava commercial house
Mr. Akutu Augustine is one man whose tale with cassava is quite admirable. He is earning big both as a cassava farmer and a cassava processor of the High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF). He is also highly recognized as influential in the community and is praised by not only by the community persons but also the local area/ community leaders of the church and political statures.
Mr. Akutu is reaping big as a cassava farmer. He makes proceeds worth millions from selling cassava seed. “I harvested 3,500 bags of cassava stems in 2016 and earned 170 million, this year I supplied 1,275 bags and earned 60 million Uganda Shillings” says Akutu. From the sales made last year, he bought land and also bought a tipper/ lorry that he now uses to ferry cassava from his farm to the processing site at his home. He additionally set up new structures at his home in Amuria district, bought more 4 acres of land that cost him about 64 Million UGX on which to grow more cassava. He also bought an additional 80 acres to plant the NASE 14 and NAROCASS 1 varieties.
Akutu’s highlight is the newly established cassava house that he has set up in Soroti town, Eastern Uganda. “I bought the plot last year in 2016 at 40 Million Uganda Shillings but expenses shot up to about 52 million” remarks Akutu. This year, the earnings he made from cuttings he supplied on contract to the Government NAADS Programme are what he used to begin setting up the structure. His plans are to use part of the commercial building to exhibit cassava products for sale. The back area will be used as lodging quarters.
The CAVA II team inspects Akutu’s cassava house still under construction
“I want this building to be a lodge /guest house that will earn me some money. I intend to save up to be able to obtain the cassava flash dryer. I have all this cassava all over Eastern Uganda and I know that we need a cassava factory here” says a smiling Akutu. His cassava gardens of over 500 acres are spread out all through the districts of Amuria, Soroti and Serere.
In an interview with AfrII’s Communications Officer, last year, Mr. Akuttu disclosed his plans to set up the commercial building. The 15 roomed building is worth over 100 Million Uganda Shillings and he intends to finish construction this year for it to be operational.
Prof. Kolawole of FUNAAB launches the cassava house and congratulates Akutu on his achievement
The CAVA II Project Director, Professor Kolawole Adebayo launched Akutu’s cassava house during a recent visit to Uganda on progress of the CAVA II Project implementation in the country.
The CAVA II Project is implemented in five African Countries of Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda to increase the incomes of smallholder farmers (SHFs) and community processors through participation in profitable and sustainable value –added cassava chains. In Uganda, specifically, it is implemented in parts of Northern, Eastern and Central Uganda in 21 districts with aim to create by 2019 an annual demand for 69,030 tons of Fresh Cassava Roots (FCRs) from smallholder farmers and incomes from sale of fresh roots and processing by smallholders will generate at least USD 4.5 Million per annum for rural communities.
CAVA II is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The project receives technical back stopping from the Natural Resources Institute-University of Greenwich (NRI) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).
CSS Project supported farmer gets accolade for best Cassava Seed Entrepreneur
Successful cassava farmer and beneficiary of the Cassava Seed Systems Project (CSS), Mr. Akuttu Augustine recently won an award for “Best Cassava Seed Entrepreneur 2013-2017” under the Cassava Seed Systems Project. Mr. Akutu, a resident of Amuria district in Eastern Uganda was also awarded a certificate of inspection on fulfilling the quality and plant health standards for cassava planting materials. The certificate qualifies him to supply certified cassava stems for planting during the year 2017. He got the two credits in June 2017 this year.
Mr. Akuttu owns over 300 acres of cassava spread out in parts of Amuria, Soroti and Serere districts. Last year, in 2016, he made sales of 170 Million Uganda Shillings from 3500 bags of cuttings sold. This year, he supplied 1275 bags of stems and earned 60 Million Uganda Shillings. He has also been contracted by the Government’s National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) to supply cassava cuttings to neighboring districts including Abim.
His proceeds have been used to among other things, buy more land to expand acreage to grow more cassava, set up new constructions at home and a commercial building in Soroti town.
Mr. Akuttu shows off his accolade and certificate earned from his efforts as a dedicated CSE
Also recognized with a similar certificate is Mr. Sam Opio, another successful Cassava Seed Entrepreneur and owner of Adyaka Farm in Apac district -Northern Uganda. Mr. Opio owns over 150 acres of cassava and is still expanding his acreage with aim to further boost his cassava business but also to ensure sustainable root supply for his cassava Flash drying factory of Adyaka Wholesalers Limited, also located in Apac district.
As a certified seed entrepreneur, Mr. Opio has been contracted to supply cuttings to the Government’s Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) this year, 2017. Also, in 2016, last year he supplied cuttings to OWC and earned 200 Million Uganda Shillings.
Mr. Opio with his certificate of recognition as a certified Cassava Seed Entrepreneur (CSE)
The Cassava Seed Systems Project (CSS) aims to catalyze the establishment of a functional cassava seed system to effectively regulate the production and dissemination of quality cassava planting materials in Uganda so as to improve food security and livelihoods of the small holder farmer through timely and cost effective access to disease free cassava planting materials.
The key implementers of the project are the Africa Innovations Institute (AfrII), National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), CHAIN Uganda, BioCrops and the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF).
Cassava farmer expands farming business with CAVA II trainings and Farmer-to-Farmer technical assistance
Christine Nalubinga is a farmer and member of NADIFA in Nakasongola. She is a housewife, but for the last 10 years has engaged in farming with her husband. She began cassava farming, despite having no prior training in cassava production.
Christine and her husband have 13 Children. She is 45 and he is 48 years old. The couple had for a long time been planting cassava the old fashioned way until in 2013 when CAVA intervened. Their efforts then were not of much benefit given the poor harvests obtained from their small gardens. Years later, their farming business has expanded and the couple has bought some cows, which they use during planting. Her cassava business continues to grow at the new cassava opportunities opening up greatly.
“We harvest about 150 bags of stems and sell each bag at 35,000 Uganda shillings giving us an earning of about 4 million Uganda shillings in just a month. We also earn a lot from processing.This is cassava money that has greatly improved our household status”-Christine Nalubinga. The couple today owns 3 and a half acres of cassava of the NASE 14 and NAROCASS 1 varieties, and plans to expand their acreage with an additional 1 acre on which to plant more cassava.
Christine narrates how it all came about. ‘It so happened that one day we were among the many farmers mobilized for a training on cassava production and it is from then that our lives changed. We have since had access to quality seed of the NASE 14 and NAROCASS 1 varieties.’ Christine says.
The couple was however by then not part of the Nakasongola District Farmers Association (NADIFA) group until after seeing the benefits of belonging to a group after a training they attended. ‘We were trained on good agronomic practices and management of the cassava crop and after the training my husband and I registered to be part of NADIFA’ Christine adds.
Since joining the NADIFA group, the couple has seen tremendous changes in their livelihoods. They are food secure, able to provide an education for their children, engage in farming of other crops and also rearing livestock. The couple has also constructed a house and purchased more land to expand their farming business.
CAVA II Uganda has been greatly influential in offering trainings and imparting knowledge and skills to the farmers in not only good agronomic practices but also processing of HQCF.
In a month, the group processes about 70 tons of FCR with the breweries being their largest end user market. Other markets include the local bakeries and home consumption.
Christine and other group members of NADIFA peeling fresh root to process HQCF at their processing site.
British MPs visit CAVA II Uganda project interventions
British MPs visit CAVA II Uganda project interventions, express admiration for efforts to transform lives of Small Holder Farmers
AfrII Chairman-Professor G.W Otim-Nape briefs the dignitaries on efforts of CAVA II to promote technologies to improve cassava production and processing in Uganda
10 April 2017, Kampala-Lord Cameron of Dillington- Ewen James Hanning Cameron and 4 other dignitaries from the UK Parliaments Science and Technology Committee last week visited AfrII’s CAVA II project areas of operation in Nakasongola district, where the dignitaries were briefed by officials from AfrII on the projects interventions to beneficiaries in the district
The Lords met AfrII Chairman Professor G. W Otim-Nape and senior representatives of the CAVA II Uganda project led by the Country Manager Mr. Francis Alacho.
During their visit to the project sites of Nakasongola District Farmers Association (NADIFA) and Agaliawambu Cassava Processing and Marketing Cooperative Society Ltd (ACAPROMA), the MPs inspected the HQCF processing sites and were treated to demonstrations using the processing equipment -the Manual chipper and Motor driven cassava chippers.
Representing the visiting dignitaries, Lord Cameron said he was “immensely proud of CAVA II’s contribution to the lives of the beneficiaries” in supporting them to access market for their products but also in ensuring they adapt to new technologies aimed at improving cassava production and processing. He also commended the farmers for their willingness to take on new innovations aimed at improving their livelihoods.
According to AfrII Chairman Professor Otim-Nape, due to ongoing challenges with the cassava crop there is need for vigilance by partners to map out new interventions to curb these challenges. “Cassava is so important but is still faced with many challenges like the CBSD that is devastating the cassava. CBSD is a serious threat to cassava shelf life in Uganda and so CAVA II Uganda is working tirelessly with partners on projects like the Cassava Seed System (CSS) to tackle the problem. Innovations are already in place like the improved cassava seed varieties of NASE 3, NASE 14, NASE 19 and NAROCASS 1 that farmers are accessing under the two projects” says Professor Nape.
Professor Nape shows Lord Cameron a sample of a CBSD stricken crop
He recollects that the mosaic disease was cited in Uganda as early as 1949 and attempts for its eradication have since been on. “From then up to around the year 2000, innovations have been ongoing and to date new ways to continue with the eradication are still ongoing. AfrII, particularly has been very instrumental in cassava development through its projects like CAVA II and CSS working with partners on new innovations to address the cassava challenges. Our interventions under CAVA II have benefitted thousands of people in the three regions of operations and we are still spreading out to other areas.” adds Professor Nape.
Nakasongola district is well known for saving the rest of the country from the era of Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) that almost wiped out the cassava crop in Uganda in the early 90s. The district supported research on the crop in which AfrII Chairman, Professor George William Otim-Nape was very instrumental in conducting research on the crop that involved breeding the commonly known NASE 3 variety locally called Migyera that saved the country’s lost hope in cassava. Through partnership with AfrII’s CAVA II Project, cassava farmers in Nakasongola have earned money from sale of fresh cassava roots that is processed into HQCF. This has improved the house hold incomes and living conditions of the members of NADIFA and ACAPROMA. Both associations have also been able to buy assets in form of machinery i.e. manual chippers and Motor driven cassava chippers to support value addition.
In his remarks the CAVA II Uganda Country Manager, Mr. Francis Alacho highlighted that the CAVA Project has concentrated on developing value chains to ensure that smallholders have an assured market for their Fresh Cassava Roots (FCRs) for processing. “Phase one of the project successfully developed that value chain for High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) that is versatile and being used in baking, paperboard, and as a source of starch in the brewing industry” Mr. Alacho adds “Phase two (CAVA II) allowed to build other value chains in line with Ethanol, starches, glucose and so on though in Uganda, the highest value chain is still HQCF. Processing HQCF is the driver of the whole system whereby if farmers have gotten market where they can sell FCR on a continued basis, they then have incentive to adopt new improved varieties readily accessible to them through linkages and synergies created with other projects especially the CSS.”
The CAVA II Uganda Country Manager, Mr Francis Alacho briefs Lord Cameron on the projects successes
In the 3 regions of operation (Northern, Eastern and Central) the Project has successfully increased cassava yield from a baseline of 16.1 tones/ha to 33.8 tons/ha in 2016 in beneficiary gardens. There has also been an increase in number of beneficiaries (direct and indirect) from 2,688 to 10,699 SHFs from 2013 to 2016.
Mr. Alacho however mentions challenges still faced in processing, where some farmers still use the traditional methods of drying (sun/open air) which slow down drying time and yet end users need assurance of continuous supply. He emphasized the need to focus attention towards promoting the solar screen drying technology so as to meet the demands from the end users.
The farmers of the two groups expressed gratitude to the visitors and equally to CAVA II Uganda for the efforts extended to them. The Chairman ACAPROMA, Mr. Henry Muwanguzi thanked the Visitors and CAVA II teams for their continued support towards farmers through projects aimed at improving their livelihoods. Muwanguzi re-echoed the challenges still faced including limited technology and climate change that are greatly affecting yield. “Nakasongola district is lucky to have a nearby water source-L.Kyoga but people still have dry gardens. We therefore humbly appeal to the UK government to assist us with small scale irrigation so as to curb this problem. We also embrace the new drying technologies promoted by the CAVA Project and further appeal to the government to extend a hand to help us acquire the solar dryers. We rely heavily on sun/ open air drying but the weather changes are continuously affecting the drying time. We look at solar drying as more efficient and want to adopt this technology.” Says Muwanguzi.
Many of the processors heavily rely on sun/ open air drying technology as opposed to Solar or Flash drying
The Cassava Adding Value for Africa Phase Two Project (CAVA II) aims to increase the incomes of SHFs and community processors through participation in profitable and sustainable value added cassava chains in five sub-Saharan African Countries of Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania and Malawi.
CAVA II Uganda hosts CAVA II Tanzania over Flash Drying Technology
The visiting team including Mrs. Grace Mahende the Country Manager CAVA II Tanzania and Mrs. Mahava Rhoda, the Lake Zonal Coordinator CAVA II Tanzania sat with the Uganda team in a brief meeting earlier today to share a few experiences on operations of the CAVA II Project activities in the two countries.
‘We want to learn from Uganda’s experience with the flash drying technology so as to be able to foresee how to handle challenges that may come with the new technology once we also have it up and running in Tanzania’ hinted Mrs. Mahende Grace, the Country Manager CAVA II Tanzania.
The flash drying investments are under the CAVA II project that is being implemented in Uganda by the Africa Innovations Institute (AfrII.
The CAVA II Tanzania team will be visiting Windwood Millers Limited, the Flash Dryer Factory in Lira District and will also tour cassava farms within Lira to learn what and How Uganda is doing it to sustain fresh cassava root supply.
Capacity building of CAVA II Uganda team and other AfrII Staff
The AfrII Staff Results Oriented Management Training was successfully concluded on Thursday 1st December 2016 with the team generating a lot of knowledge in the areas of strategic management, revenue generation, planning and performance management as well as leadership and governance within an institution.
In his wrap up message, the Trainer, Mr. John Linton, the Commercial Director at NRI advised AfrII Management to regularly analyze progress of the organization in the areas of staff performance and also business generation for track of progress of the organization.
In his closing remarks, the AfrII Chairman Professor G.W. Otim-Nape appreciated NRI for the opportunity granted to AfrII to benefit from the 4 day training to introduce the organization’s staff to the principles of effective management to improve efficiency.
He particularly extended appreciation to John Linton for the skills and knowledge extended to the AfrII Staff in the areas of resource generation, one of the key elements needed to drive and push activities for an organization’s operations.
Over 50 Cassava Processors acquire skills and knowledge in processing HQCF
Agricultural and food scientists from AfrII and NRI recently teamed up to train processors in production of High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF).
80 Cassava Processors from the regions of Eastern, Central, Northern and West Nile have benefited from the HQCF Quality Management Training in which they were availed skills and knowledge in processing HQCF.
The training happened in Lira District from 21st- 22nd November. The lead trainer, Dr. Aurelie Bechoff, a Food Technologist at the Natural Resources Institute (NRI)-University of Greenwich took the participants through the necessary steps and procedures required to produce HQCF including Use of good quality cassava roots to obtain HQCF which is of purely/ or only white color.
The processors were also trained in the areas of good management, quality control and quality assurance as well as the process for achieving HQCF (what it takes to produce HQCF, the steps to follow, Cleaning and maintaining equipment, weighing-peeling, grating and sieving).
