Adding value through the mechanization of post-harvest cassava processing, and its impact on household poverty in north-eastern Zambia

Abstract

This article investigates the impact of adopting a mechanized cassava processing system on household poverty levels in Zambia. An Foster, Greer and Thorbecke (FGT) poverty measure was used to compare poverty levels among households using a mechanized cassava processing system against those households using a nonmechanized process. Based on the FGT poverty measure's specifications, a significantly lower poverty status of 49% was found among households using the mechanized process when compared to the 58% found among households using the nonmechanized process. The significant factors contributing to these differences in poverty levels include whether households are using a mechanized process or not, the number of years' schooling among household members, the number of years' farming experience, household income and membership of associations. The study concludes that the mechanization of cassava processing, particularly if done on the right scale, can transform primary production activities, in turn leading to higher incomes and reduced poverty levels in rural villages. Thus, policies should be introduced aimed at encouraging the promotion of mechanized post-harvest cassava processing technologies among rural households, so as to enhance crop productivity and household income levels, as well as reduce poverty among rural households.

Determining the drivers and deterrents of Climate-smart crop adoption: The case of cassava in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

“…These results on the effect of land ownership and enterprise diversification into livestock farming were in line with prior expectations. The positive relationship between animal husbandry and cassava production could indicate that the farmers' decisions were influenced by the understanding that they can take advantage of the multipurpose use of cassava for livestock feed production (Abass et al, 2013). This finding concurs with Manganyi et al ( 2023), who found that cassava production was associated with livestock farming in three different regions in South Africa due to the crop's dual purpose in rural households.…”

“…One such water-saving crop that has been promoted as having unexplored potential in addressing the forthcoming water insecurity is cassava (Abass et al, 2017). According to FAO (2018), there has been wide recognition of cassava as a choice crop in the context of climate change adaptation strategies, particularly in eastern and southern African countries that regularly endure sustained periods of drought.…”

Factors Influencing Cassava Sales and Income Generation among Cassava Producers in South Africa

“…Beyond being a staple food crop globally (mainly for rural impoverished households), cassava poses a great potential for generating income through the sale of fresh cassava tubers and other processed derivatives. According to [8], in several countries such as Nigeria, Brazil, and Thailand, value addition has shown immense potential to enable cassava growers, processors, and/or traders to earn premium prices within the cassava value chain as opposed to selling the perishable tubers. Furthermore, cassava's ability to yield significant edible biomass per unit of land can potentially increase income.…”

Processors' Experience in the Use of Flash Dryer for Cassava-derived Products in Nigeria

“…Thus, flash dryers must be energy-efficient (Chapuis et al, 2018). Abass et al (2017a) and Abass et al (2017b) have shown that the adoption of a mechanized cassava processing system can transform primary production activities, in turn leading to higher incomes and reduced poverty levels among cassava farmers in many African countries, including Zambia and Uganda. IITA (2006) asserted that Nigeria needs more than 300 units of flash dryers with a capacity of 3-5 ton/day to meet the current demand for cassava flour.…”