TANZANIAN Cassava growers will soon smile all their way to the bank as preparations for commercialisation of the crop in the country are at an advanced stage.
Early this year, the government signed a billion US dollars partnership agreement with a Chinese firm to commercialise cassava farming and processing in the country.
Speaking to the ‘Daily News’ recently, Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) Executive Director, Mr Godfrey Simbeye said preparations on course at the moment include working on high yielding cassava varieties.
Currently, Tanzania can produce about 5.5 million tonnes of cassava each year, while the Chinese firm will require two million metric tonnes of dry cassava chips per annum, according to Mr Simbeye.
He said that they were looking into providing, technology, training and high yield cassava variety to grower farmers and will be working with research institutes including Naliendele Agriculture Research Institute (NARI).
Three regions are earmarked for the project; Mtwara, Lindi and Coast; where an industrial park comprising factories to produce cassava flour, cassava starch, animal feeds, organic fertilizer and paper pulp will be established.
However, according to Mr Simbeye, the firm will start with producing starch at an industry in Mkuranga, which will also act as a stimulator for cassava farmers.
They have also acquired 200,000 hectares of land in Lindi which will be part of a demonstration farm for training and transfer of technology as well as production of high yielding cassava varieties.
According to Mr Simbeye, the target is to get highest yields of 20 tonnes and a minimum of 15 tonnes per hectare. He said that those outside the identified regions have not been left out, as farmers in Kigoma and Tanga regions have expressed interests.
“Currently, Nigeria leads the world as the highest producer of cassava, but Tanzania has the potential to do the same; we just need to get the right cassava varieties and serious farmers,” he explained.
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