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UNIDO Enhanced Farming Techniques and Value Addition for Sustainable Livelihoods of 127 Cassava Farmers in Asuogya
In the heart of Ghana, the Asuogya Cooperative Agro Processing Company Limited, founded by Faustina Agyeiwaa Sakyi and her husband Yaw Sakyi, embarked on a transformative journey. Once mere cassava sellers, they envisioned a future where cassava could be more than just a staple crop, but a source of economic empowerment and innovation.
In 2021, the cooperative faced daunting challenges. Technical know-how was scarce, and their products barely reached beyond local markets.
It was UNIDO’s guiding hand that steered them towards a brighter future. Embracing Good Manufacturing and Agronomic Practices, the cooperative refined its processing techniques, elevating the quality of its products to international standards under the European Union-financed West Africa Competitiveness Programme (WACOMP).
“Our cluster’s production of Gari now meets the demands of markets in the UK and USA. We also sell to buyers from Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso Remarkably, the percentage of women earning daily wages has surged from 30% to 87.5%. Our operations now employ over 530 farmers and labourers in Asuayi and the surrounding areas."
WACOMP’s intervention was a beacon of hope for the cooperative’s 127 members, predominantly women. They received comprehensive training in value addition, safety, and quality standards, equipping them with the tools to transform cassava into high-value products like starch, ethanol, gari, fish feed, weedicides and even cassava-based cookies and bread.
The cooperative’s dedication to excellence bore fruit. They are now on the cusp of obtaining EPA and FDA certifications, a testament to their unwavering commitment to quality.
Madam Faustina Agyeiwaa Sakyi, Co founder of Asuogya Cooperative Agro Processing Company Limited
The UNIDO- WACOMP Sub-Contracting Matching Scheme was instrumental, in funding enhancements in their record-keeping, farming, warehouse management, and leadership.
The support extended to providing gari processing equipment, fostering an eco-friendly and sustainable approach to production helping them to also achieve certifications for their packaging, and enhancing their market presence.
The UNIDO-supported Asuogya Cooperative has further made significant strides in professionalizing its operations and standardizing cassava processing including the development of a website that has expanded their market reach.
Faustina Agyeiwaa Sakyi reports a surge in orders nationwide, particularly from Senior High Schools, due to improved branding, packaging, and e-commerce capabilities as well as producing for other international markets.
“We have received orders from all across the country, mainly from Senior High Schools that followed up on leads they received from our website after training in branding, packaging, and e-commerce," she confirmed.
The impact of UNIDO’s support has been profound, not just for the cooperative but for the entire community. The Asuogya cassava cluster now boasts a workforce where women earning daily wages have skyrocketed from 30% to an impressive 87.5%. Over 530 farmers and labourers from Asuayi and neighbouring towns have found employment and purpose within the cluster.
Faustina stated that WACOMP - Ghana’s focus on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) has fortified our commitment to quality, thereby expanding our market reach to countries like Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Burkina Faso.
"I have been in the cassava processing industry for 20 years, but I had never given any thought to how to weigh the cassava tubers I order from other farmers, or the variety that provided me with a lot of gari until WACOMP came to our aid through various capacity building measures for my cluster. Now I am aware of the need to enter into contracts with both our suppliers and customers on the opposing ends of the business cycle, increasing my income,
Madam Susana Frema, member of Asuogya Cooperative Agro Processing Company Limitedthe
Transformative Training and Financial Growth:
Frema highlighted the significant impact of UNIDO’s support, which has allowed the cooperative to monetize cassava by-products, previously considered waste. This has created an additional revenue stream and improved her financial stability. The training in bookkeeping and financial management has been transformative, enabling her to maintain records, open a corporate bank account, and secure financial assistance to expand her business and workforce.
“The comprehensive training provided by UNIDO on the utilization and value addition of cassava by-products has been a game-changer for my business,” Madam Frema explained. “It has opened up a new revenue stream, augmenting my earnings from gari production. This innovative approach has turned what we once considered ‘waste’ into a profitable resource.”
Madam Frema continued, “Previously, our operational and financial records were non-existent, which meant that our institutional memory was virtually absent. The project’s training in bookkeeping and financial management has been transformative. I’ve begun to meticulously maintain records, both manually and digitally, which has been instrumental in establishing a corporate bank account.” With a newfound confidence in financial management, Madam Frema has secured financial assistance that has enabled her to scale up her business operations. “The improved cash flow from this new income stream has qualified me for financial assistance, allowing me to expand my business and provide employment opportunities for more individuals,” she added. Frema’s testimony underscores the transformative impact of UNIDO’s support on individual livelihoods. The ability to finance her children’s education in nursing is a direct result of the enhanced business operations and profitability fostered by the European Union and UNIDO WACOMP – Ghana , demonstrating the far-reaching benefits of the Programme, setting a precedent for sustainable development and community upliftment.
