WACOMP support to Cassava processor in Abura boosts cassava farming and starch production in the Central Region

“ Prior to  UNIDO  led WACOMP’s intervention, the processing unit of Tropical Starch Limited travelled 330km from Abura in the central region to Techiman in the Bono region to purchase cassava roots to supplement the supply of raw material within the Abura district,” says Alhaji Musah Ali, CEO of Tropical starch.

“As an old man, I see a lot of potential in these young farmers and so my aim is to help reduce unemployment and provide empowerment for people with all abilities in my community and gradually farmers in the Abura community are  now benefiting and able to be economically empowered through UNIDO and EU WACOMP -Ghana ” , he added

Through the WACOMP Cluster Development support, 293 cassava out-growers in the Abura Cluster were supplied with improved cassava varieties, trained on Good Agricultural Practices, and climate-smart production to enable the farmers to increase their productivity to supply the processing factory.

Tropical starch increased the production of cassava flour from a low of 400 kg every two weeks to 1,200 kg every two weeks of processed cassava derivatives. This is due to the availability of increased cassava produce and the acquisition of additional processing machinery.

This experience in the Abura cluster and the activities undertaken under WACOMP Ghana have been showcased as best practice for enhancing competitiveness in the cassava value chain at the first-ever International Cassava Conference organized in Malanje Angola from the 25th to 26th June 2021, by the Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Angola.