Starch is an important raw material that is widely used in the food, textile, paper and pharmaceutical industries. Interestingly, recent a research by the Food and Agricultural Organisation shows that almost all starch varieties can be replaced with cassava starch.
In its latest report on the Global Cassava Market Study, published in www.fao.org/dorcrep, the FAO declares that global demand for cassava starch will increase at an annual rate of 3.1 per cent, while regional growth rates are expected to rise by 4.2 per cent in Asia; 3.4 per cent in Latin America; and 2.3 per cent in Africa.
The report notes,” Local processing of native cassava starch is an attractive option because it offers a means of converting a relatively low cost raw material into a high value product, which can readily substitute for imported starch.
“The market opportunity for cassava starch exists in every country that is consuming more starch in various industrial processes.”
Currently, Nigeria is the world‘s largest producer of cassava, with production capacity estimated at over 49 million metric tonnes per annum. Experts say that the Federal Government’s makes cassava starch processing a worthwhile venture for any enrepreneur.
The National President, Cassava Produce Promoters and Exporters Association of Nigeria, Mr. Markus Magaji, says small and medium scale entrepreneurs are currently investing in various cassava starch processing projects across the country due to availability of raw materials, with prospects of high returns on investment.
He says, ”Today, cassava starch is in high demand in the country. A lot of people are building cassava processing plants across the country. Due to the high prospects, in terms of returns on investment, most of them are acquiring more machines to expand their existing facilities.”
National President, Nigerian Cassava Processors and Marketers Association, Mr. Ayo Olubori, also notes that the growing interest in cassava starch processing is as a result of the wide application of the product, which lends to its profit-generating potential.
According to him, investment opportunities in starch production go beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“ Investors and government agencies from West African countries are already wooing entrepreneurs in Nigeria to their countries. Nigeria is undoubtedly more advanced than many other African countries in cassava starch processing. The recent lifeline given to the textile industry will further boost cassava starch production in Nigeria,” Olubori says.
He says that the technology for processing cassava starch is affordable and can be sourced within the country, adding that functional cassava starch processing machines are currently being fabricated locally.
The main challenges, according to him include insufficient land for cassava cultivation in commercial quantity, limited funding sources and poor power supply, which may raise its cost of production.
He, however, stresses that the choice of equipment, factory location and supply of raw materials and scale of production are critical factors that must be considered before investing in the business.
Olubori says, “A large cassava starch plant requires about 250 tonnes of freshly harvested cassava per day, while a mini plant requires about 20 tonnes per day. Both scales have the potential of producing the same quality. The yield is, however, a function of the age of cassava, variety of cassava, season of production (dry or wet season) and, of course, the efficiency of the equipment. Such a plant is usually fully automated, sometimes with computer controlled devices. Hence, total quality requirement is easier to manage.”
Cassava starch processing factory
Cassava Production at the Kalinago
Kalinago (A district on the north east coast now more popularly called the Carib Territory)
It is believed that people Kalinago transported to Dominican cassava plants from South America more than 1000 years ago. Cassava is one of the most respected food Kalinago people, and always an important part of their daily food.
There are various methods of preparation of Cassava in accordance with the purpose to be used. The Yams can be baked, boiled or roasted. It is most often used to make cassava bread. It is also often used to make Farine, which is the fiber of the Cassava after the starch has been removed from it.
When Cassava has reached maturity stage were then harvested and cleaned of all soil and external fibers, including skin before the land use of Cassava Mill.
The Mill Cassava designed and built by people Kalinago own. Grinding the surface of the filter plant consists of aluminum in the wheel. To grind the cassava, the foot is used to turn the wheels of the board is attached, while being fed with cassava grater.
Cassava soil mixed with water in the bath and then squeezed to separate the starch from the fiber. starch that settles at the bottom of the container in which the excess water is squeezed. Dry fibers and then filtered to remove the hard fibers, which make the fibers are ready for baking. Fiber can be incorporated into Farine or fibers with a mixture of starch can be baked into bread Cassava.
When making cassava bread, cassava fiber and starch mixture converted into a dough. This is then followed by placing it into the pan and allow to bake until cooked. Likewise, when making Farine, Cassava fibers are placed in a saucepan and stir until cooked.
Shrimp and Creamy Cassava Sauce
I made this recipe for the bobo Cybercook. I added red bell pepper, I removed the skin and seeds of tomatoes and not used to puree the tomatoes on the original recipe, also decreases the amount of palm oil.
Funny, I make this dish often, but still had not posted. Cassava is from my backyard that I have planted a few feet and whenever I need a hole and get the piece that I use.
Shrimp Bobo
500g cleaned shrimp
Cassava 250g peeled and cut into chunks
6 tomatoes peeled and seeded, chopped
a handful of chopped chives and parsley
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
Salt to taste
1 red pepper sliced
400ml coconut milk
a handful of chopped fresh coriander
1 x milk
100ml palm oil (less if you prefer)
Place the cassava into a pot, cover with water and bring to a simmer for about 30 minutes, until soft. Then, drain and blend in a food processor with the coconut milk and milk until a smooth paste. Reserve.
Heat palm oil in a pan, saute the onion for 3 min. Add garlic, tomatoes, peppers and cook for about 8 minutes. Add the parsley and chives, season with salt. Place the mashed cassava and cook stirring constantly until mixture is warm. Add the shrimp and wait until they are completely cooked (do not overcook or they will be stiff). Taste and add more salt if needed. In the end, add the cilantro. Remove from heat and serve with cooked rice.
Cassava turns into source of cash
Nicholas Olum has been running a fabricating business for many years but it is only recently that his patience paid off— he was contracted to fabricate cassava-processing machines by two organisations that plan to change the fortunes of cassava farmers.
At Sh60,000 for every machine, not many cassava farmers could afford it.
Cassava is almost exclusively grown by small-scale farmers in Kenya with little disposable income.
In areas where it grows, the cooperative movement is weak, dashing the possibilities of group-owned small processing machines.
But Mr Olum’s change in fortunes has come from a new initiative that is helping farmers to grow cassava exclusively for semi-processing.
It is funded and co-ordinated by Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, Kenya Agriculture Research Institute and Farm Concern International.
The semi-processed cassava is sold to cattle feed manufacturers.
The aim is to use the dried chips as a raw material, together with maize, to make cattle feeds.
Feed manufacturers said their main raw material, maize, has become scarce and expensive, raising the cost of the animal feeds.
Maize is Kenya’s staple food so there is competition from humans for the same grain.
Connecting cassava farmers to feed manufacturers will provide a reliable source of raw materials to the feed industry since the crop is available throughout the year.
Feed manufacturers need consistent quality supply to maintain the feed formula and stabilise prices.
“Our members have been looking for reliable quality and consistent supply of alternative carbohydrate sources. Pressure on maize is forcing us to think of partial substitutes cassava chips will fill this gap,” said Martin Kinoti, Secretary General of the Association of Kenya Feeds Manufacturers.
Most recently, Kenya has suffered poor weather conditions that have resulted in below average production of maize, opting for imports.
While imports are cheaper, the cost of transport, especially from the port of Mombasa makes the imported maize even more expensive than the locally grown variety
Deadly cassava disease hits Uganda
CASSAVA brown streak, a new strain of disease that affects the edible part of the crop, has hit several parts of the country.
According to the agriculture ministry, the disease has affected 50% of the country.
“It is spreading fast and we are faced with a more serious situation than we witnessed with the cassava mosaic disease,” Ephram Tumubweine, the commissioner of crop protection, said.
Tumubweine said almost all varieties, bred or selected for resistance to cassava mosaic disease, are susceptible to the brown streak. Only three varieties, 29, 51 and Akena, were resistant.
The disease has been registered in the central region, with Mukono being the worst hit district. It has also affected the north and north-eastern part of the country.
Tumubweine said the disease is spread through distribution, sub-planting and by white flies. He cited the example of the stalks distributed by the World Food Programme in the north and north-east.
The only solution is to destroy the crop, officials said.
The cassava brown steak is a viral infection that affects the tuberous roots, leading to loss of yields.
Unlike the cassava mosaic disease, which affects the whole plant, with brown streak, the plants look healthy, but the tubes are affected.
The symptoms include root constriction and a dry hard rot when the root is cut. It also cracks and discolours the tubers, while the harvested roots have corky, yellow-brown spots.
The disease also causes yellow and green patches on the leaves, a phenomenon commonly called chlorosis.
Dr. Fred Mukulu, the Mukono production officer, said the disease was first reported eight months ago and has spread to four sub-counties, including Kasawo, Ntunda and Nabbale.
Farmers are being sensitised about the disease and how to curb its spread.
Mukulu said they were trying to introduce another variety of the plant in collaboration with National Agricultural Research organisation (NARO).
NARO is in charge of developing disease-resistant and high yielding crops.
In the early 90s, Uganda incurred a loss of $60m per year due to cassava mosaic disease.
Mealybugs threatening cassava crop
OFFICIALS fear that a pest partly blamed for the devastation of millions of tonnes of cassava crops across the border in Thailand is wreaking havoc in Banteay Meanchey province.
A provincial agriculture official says almost one-third of the total farmed area for cassava crops in Banteay Meanchey has become infected with mealybugs, a small pest that can potentially destroy the crop.
More than 8,300 hectares of cassava farms in three districts were affected between February and April, out of a total planting area of roughly 25,000 hectares, said Heng Bunhor, director of the province’s Agriculture Department. That number is expected to rise when officials tally assessments from May, he said.
Individual farmers first reported the pests, which assemble in small white clumps, earlier this year. Efforts to eradicate the problem, however, have so far proved ineffective.
“We have never had mealybugs here before, and we have no experience to kill them because they are new in Cambodia,” said Heng Bunhor, who added that plans to get rid of the pest have been hampered by a lack of coordination among farmers.
The mealybug infestation appears to have hit Malai district the hardest, said Om Chantha, the province’s chief of cabinet.
“We are worried they will destroy more cassava because the chemical used to kill them is not effective,” Om Chantha said.
Some farmers say they have already lost their cassava crops in part because of the mealybugs. Te Haing said his 400-hectare cassava farm was destroyed by both insects and drought.
“It is very bad for me and other farmers this year,” he said.
Farmer Sok Pov, who owns a 5-hectare plantation, said he lost his crop twice this year.
“I am hopeless, as I have no capital to replant it,” he said.
An investigation released earlier this year by the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) warned of “widespread economic and social implications” if pest infestations, including mealybugs, affecting Thailand’s cassava industry are not kept in check.
Davao City Importance of cassava
The Department of Agriculture Davao City urged the farmers to embark on cassava production as it is a profitable and up-to-the-minute business today.
According to Milo Gordo, in-charge of the Seed Pieces of Corn and Cassava unit of DA-Manambolan, pointed out that cassava can flexibly be used in many ways.
During his lecture on corn and cassava planting, Milo explained that cassava starch and pellets can be used as animal food, alcohol, mono glutamates, sweetener, medicine, glue, biodegradable products, plywood binder, paper, textile, and food for human consumption.
He said that five percent of cassava production is used as food, 20 percent as starch, and 75 percent as animal feeds.
Milo refuted superstitious belief of farmers that planting cassava makes the soil parched and dehydrated after harvest, discouraging some farmers not to plant cassava.
Milo said that cassavas sold in public markets are mainly used for food consumption which draws a huge demand for animal feeds.
He assured the farmer-participants to the lecture, that San Miguel Corporation guaranteed to limitlessly purchase cassava for P8.50 per kilo in granulated or pelletized form.
Moreover, Milo discussed that the methods of planting the cassava is a factor that every farmer should consider for it greatly affects production and growth.
According to the study conducted by PhilRoot Crops, land preparation for cassava can be through flat, ridge, and flat plus hilling up which have similar effects to cassava production.
Short stems – 25 centimeters – produces high yield compared to longer stem-cuttings at 34.8 root yield (ton per hectare).
The study also reported 47 registered cassava varieties released between 2002 and 2007.
Valeriano Marqueza, 60-year-old corn farmer in Davao del Norte, is one of the participants who received one kilo of hybrid corn during the lecture. He said that the lecture helped him realized a lot about cassava production.
Marqueza added that he will venture on cassava farming in the coming months.
Meanwhile, Jimmy Adeser, a 48-year-old farmer from Asuncion said that he is very thankful of the free lecture on cassava production as he proudly held a liquid fertilizer he got as freebie during the event.
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