1. Cassava processing and marketing Regional Cassava Processing and Marketing Initiative FIRST REGIONAL MEETING OF IFAD ROOTS & TUBERS PROJECTS 14-16 November 2007 Hotel Somatel - Douala, Cameroon

2. Cassava processing and marketing ROOT AND TUBER IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME - GHANA THE REGIONAL CASSAVA PROCESSING & MARKETING INITIATIVE PRESENTED AT FIRST ANNUAL IFAD-FUNDED R&T PROJECTS MEETING IN DOUALA FROM NOVEMBER 14 – 16, 2007 BY ANDREA SERPAGLI – RCPMI Coordinator

3. Cassava processing and marketing OBJECTIVES OF THE RCPMI Overall To support ongoing IFAD-funded R&T projects in WCA region in their processing and marketing activities; To increase overall visibility of IFAD intervention within the cassava industry in WCA. Specific Strengthening the chains of various cassava derivates at a country level; Supporting development of new cassava derivates (mainly in the food and animal feeds domains); Pursuing domestic/external market opportunities for cassava; Maximizing cross-fertilization among IFAD and other non-IFAD (NPACI etc) cassava related initiatives; Supporting, at a national and regional level, policy dialogue.

4. Cassava processing and marketing MAIN STRATEGIC GUIDELINES FOR RCPMI Focus primarily on products with a high added value; Work with the private sector; Work on the entire chain; Work through pilots that are sustainable and easy to replicate; Mind the regional perspective; Collaborate with other (IFAD and non-IFAD) ongoing initiatives meant to support this industry.

5. Cassava processing and marketing ACTIVITIES PLANNED and ONGOING (as at November 2007) with the RCPMI

6. Cassava processing and marketing ACTIVITIES PLANNED and ONGOING RCPMI Milestones End of June 2007: RCPMI work-plan delivered; End of July 2007: RCPMI work-plan discussed and approved. Disbursement and activities could start. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________---- Missions implemented May 07: fact-finding mission - Cameroon by Coordinator+Fidafrique June 07: fact-finding mission - Ghana by Coordinator August 07: market survey - Ghana by market specialist August 07: technical mission - Cameroon by Coordinator+technologist September 07: fact-finding mission - Benin by Coordinator September 07: fact-finding mission - Nigeria by Information Specialist November 07: Regional Meeting – Cameroon -RCPMI+Fidafrique staff

7. Cassava processing and marketing Summary of activities: national level/1  Upgrading traditional or develop new cassava derivates: pilot is ongoing in Cameroon for producing pre-cooked, vacuum packed cassava;  Increase chain integration: one pilot to be started in Cameroon (1 st quarter of 2008) and one study implemented in Ghana (August 07);  Investigate and secure new markets: one market study for selected cassava derivates on EU markets (France, Belgium and UK) finalised and to be started (1 st quarter of 2008); market study for CEMAC countries finalised and to be started (1 st quarter of 2008); market study with Benin bordering countries markets planned (2 nd quarter of 2008); other studies to follow.

8. Cassava processing and marketing Summary of activities: national level/2  Work on quality management systems (jointly with FAO): training of operators planned in Cameroon + Ghana (1 st quarter of 2008) and planned in Benin (2 nd quarter of 2008);  Other activities related to produce quality: work on standards planned in Ghana  Investment profiles (for industry development and jointly with UNIDO): planned in Cameroon (2-3 quarters of 2008);  Training on Cassava Derivate Marketing: planned in Benin (2-3 quarters of 2008);  Promotional Campaigns: planned in Benin;  Other specific market interventions planned in Benin and Ghana.

9. Cassava processing and marketing Summary of activities: regional level  Assist R&T projects on market/trade systems:  Preparation/distribution of informative materials: information packages distributed to Ghana and Cameroon;  Organization of events to exchange experiences/know-how and to favour contacts with service providers: first regional event organized in Cameroon.  Document good-practices/exchange know-how  Creation, on Fidafrique, of a data-base on WCA makers of cassava equipments and on their prototypes: activities started in Cameroon and planned in Benin (implementation during 1 st quarter 2008);  Creation, on Fidafrique, of a data-base on good practices: documentation of good practices started in Cameroon, Benin and Nigeria (also in support of IFAD-IMI event);  Supporting R&T projects in procuring small-scale cassava production/ processing/marketing technology: linkages established with Brazilian and Italian equipment makers.

10. Cassava processing and marketing Summary of activities: international level  Established linkages for equipment procurement and produce trade : –Linkage with operator (Ghanacoop) leading Italian ethnic food market; –Linkage with Italian operators for food-processing equipment (pilot in Cameroon); –Linkage with Brazilian operators for equipment procurement (both in Ghana and Brazil).  Partnerships with FAO (established) and UNIDO (under implementation).

11. Cassava processing and marketing Thank you