Project Focus: Women empowerment / Cassava supply chain
Estimated cost: 75.000 Euros
A) INFORMATION
i) APPLICANT ORGANIZATION
ii) LEGAL STATUS
iii) MEMBERSHIP
iv LOCATION
v) PROJECT TITLE: ESTABLISHMENT OF A GARRI PROCESSING UNIT
vi) DURATION OF PROJECT
vii) TARGET POPULATION
vii) BUDGET
B). PROJECT JUSTIFICATION:
The marketing of agricultural products has always been a very big problem to farmers because of the lack of processing equipment, storage and packaging facilities and most of all, reliable market information and outlets for processed products. Food processing usually adds value to a foodstuff and is thus a very important means of income generation and employment, particularly in areas where raw materials are readily available. Farmers and especially women who are the main cultivators of food crops have remained permanently poor because they are unable to process their crops to enable them sell at better prices due to the absence of some or all of the above facilities.
This project seeks to handle this problem by establishing a garri processing unit to add value to cassava for local and international consumption. The facility which envisages a production of 20 tons of garri per month will also boost cassava production among women farmers, train them on better processing techniques, as well as create employment for women and youths around Meme Division thereby improving livelihoods for them and their families.
A) OBJECTIVES:
(i) Global Objective: Product diversification, income generation and employment opportunities.
(ii) Specific objectives:
– Empower women farmers to produce, process and market cassava and its by-products (garri) for cooperative members and the wider community by means of a demonstration and model garri processing factory.
– Reduce post harvest losses by vertical diversification of perishable crops
– Provide training on technical skills and knowledge essential in processing and preservation of garri safely and hygienically for improved nutrition and increased income.
– Create employment opportunities for women and youths around Kumba and beyond.
D) PROJECT ORGANIZATION/ MANAGEMENT
The project will be managed by the Kumba Branch Office of Chede Cooperative Union Ltd which shall recruit a Project Manager and qualified staff (book keeper, secretary, food technologist, machine operator, temporary workers, etc). The book keeper will be responsible to take stocks and present a standard financial record of all incomes and expenditures to the Manager of the Chede Kumba Branch Office and other officials as may be appropriate. Also, annual reports of all project activities will be made available to all concerned by the project secretary. Such are the Delegation of Small and Medium Size Enterprise, the Delegation of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Chief of Sector for Cooperatives among others. The food technologist shall train and supervise the product at all stages of processing and ensure that safe hygienic conditions are met for quality products, with the hands-on support of the Chede Food Technology Division based in Douala. The machine operator shall ensure that the machines are properly managed. Temporary workers shall be hired to work in the factory and paid on weekly and monthly basis from profit derived from the business. Training workshop shall be organized for Cooperative members and women groups on processing techniques, quality control, Market Information system, trade policies etc. In summary, the project will be managed efficiently and transparently to meet the above outlined objectives.
E) EXPECTED OUTCOME
– Women farmers are empowered to produce and process cassava more and better for local and international market.
– Post harvest losses for cassava reduced through product diversification
– Job creation for over 20 women and youths around Meme Division
– Better techniques and skills on cassava processing and marketing adopted for quality products and improved income.