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STATUS OF CASSAVA IN TANZANIA:

IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Regina Kapinga

REPORT COMPILATION

REPORT EDITED BY

LIST OF FIGURES

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

2.0 CASSAVA PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION IN TANZANIA

2.1 Trends in cassava production
Cassava with competing crops
2.2 Trends in cassava utilization
Other uses
2.3 Constraints in cassava production

2.3.1. Pests and diseases
2.3.2 Agronomic Problems
2.3.3 Shortage of planting materials and continuous use of low genetic potential cassava varieties
2.3.4 Inadequacy extension services to farmers
2.3.5 Access to market
2.3.6 Availability of preferred crops and rudimentary cassava processing technology

3.0 INTERVENTIONS

3.1 Changes in food market development model

3.1.1 The colonial pattern of marketing system
3.1.2 State controlled marketing system (1963-1984/85)
3.1.3 Market liberalization

3.2 Marketing of cassava

3.2.1 Dry cassava clips
3.2.2 Fresh cassava

3.3 Change in food pricing policies

3.3.1 Pre - Independence pricing policy
3.3.2 Pricing policy Prior to 1974
3.3.3 Pan - territorial pricing policy (1974/75 - 1984/85)
3.3.4 Open - market pricing policy (1985/86 to date)

3.4 Impact of changes in development model on food crops production

3.5 Investment in Cassava research

3.5.1 Agricultural research policy
3.5.2 Government contribution to cassava research
3.5.3 Cassava research advances

3.6 Infrastructure and services

3.6.1 Inputs
3.6.2 Market accessibility
3.6.3 Storage facilities
3.6.4 Processing infirastructure
3.6.5 Extension services

4.0 GENDER ROLE IN CASSAVA PRODUCTION

5.0 CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF SUCCESSES AND FAILURES

5.1 Marketing models
5.2 Production and consumption trends of cassaava in Tanzania
5.3 Economic benefits and returns to investment
5.4 Comparative advantage of cassava production
5.5 Agricultural Policy
5.6 Fulfilment of objectives and scientific advances

5.6.1 Germplasm development
5.6.2 Improvement of cropping. systems with cassava
5.6.3 Reduction of pests/disease incidences
5.6.4 Improvement of cassava post harvest handling techniques and product diversification

6.0 LESSONS LEARNED FROM PAST EXPERIENCES AND FUTURE STRATEGIES

6.1 Labour
6.2 Cassava research capacity building
6.3 Utilization
6.4 Marketing of cassava
6.5 Infrastructure

REFERENCES

APPENDICES

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Production of main food crops('000 tonnes),and land area(hectrage) from 1986/87 to 1995/96

Table 2. Percentage distribution of villages which reported decreasing cassava land area by reasons for the decrease

Table 3. Percentage distribution of representativevillages by mostly -.videly used cassava food product all representative countries compared witth Tanzania

Table 4. Incidence and severity of cassava plant pests/diseases

Table 5. Funding levels for cassava and competing crops from the Tanzanian and Zanzibar governnents(´000 Tshs.)

Table 6. Current research staff and requirements in roots and tubers research program

Table 7. Priority setting of cassava and competing crops

Table 8. Research advances on the improvement of cassava genetic potential

Table 9. Research advances on the improvement of cassava.crop management practices

Table 10. Research advances on the reduction of cassava pests and disease incidence

Table 11. Research advances on the multiplication and distribution of cassava planting materials in Tanzania

Table 12. Research advances on improvement of cassava post harvest, handling techniques and utilization in Tanzania

Table 13. Percentage distribution of surveyed villages indices of marketacces in Tanzaniawith other major producing countries (1990 - 1992)

Table 14. Percentage distribution of crop fields by gender ownership

Table 15. Cassava production costs and return to labour for 1994/95: A case of Mtwara region, Southern Zone

Table 16. Cassava marketing costs and margins between Kisarawe(Coast region) and Dar es Salaam1994

Table 17. Cost benefit analysis of cassava product diversification: A case of cassava doughnuts in the Lake Zone, 1996

Table 18. Economic analysis of small scale cassava starch production in Dar es Salaam, 1996

Table 19. Benefit - cost analysis of multiplication of cassava cassava planting material at farm level

Table 20. Policy Analysis Matrix(PAM) for cassava production (1991/92)

Table 21. Successes and limitations of the national agricultural policy

Table 22. Successes and limitations of research interventions on cassava crop genetic potential improvement

Table 23. Successes and limitations of researcinterventions, on the improvement of cassava agronomic practices

Table 24. Successes and limitations of research intenvesion on cassava multiplication and distribution of planting material

Table 25. Successes and limitations of research -interventions on the reduction of cassava pests and disease incidence

Table 26. Successes and limitations of the research interventions on improvement of cassava post- harvest handling techniques and utilization

Appendix 1. Cassava production trend per zone from 1986/87-1995/96

Appendix 2. Major food crops production in Tanzania from 1981182-1995/96

Appendix 3. Tanzania Food imports(tonnes) (1975/76 -1993/94)

Appendix 4. Major food crops purchased by NMC from 1973/74-1990/91

Appendix 5. Percentage distribution of representative villages 13), nature of armer access to road to main marketsby country

Appendix 6. Summarised notes on the processing techniques of cassava

Appendix 7. Participation of men and women in selected activities in Kwimba district Mwanza region

Appendix 8. Tanzania Food Exports(tonnes)(1982/83-1994/95)

Appendix 9. Cassava varieties currently grown by farmers in four zones with an origin from the research institution

Appendix 10. Identification of cassava research and development projects

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Map of Tanzania showing cassava producing areas
Figure 2. Cassava production trend from 1986/87-1995/96
Figure 3: A schematic marketing system of fresh cassava roots in Dar es Salaam
Figure 4. Food crops producer prices from 1973/74-1994/95
Figure 5. Cassava production and consumption trend 1980/81 1995196

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report is based on the finding of one month assignment executed by IFAD and implemented by the Tanzanian national staff involved in cassava research and development. The work was designed to analyze the past and present situation of cassava in Tanzaniawith view to describing the lessons learned from the past experiences and their implication for a future investment in cassava research and development. Bathroom Decoration

The national cassava working group of seven members drawn from the National Root/Tuber Research Prograrn, Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre, Marketing Development Bureau and the Headquarters of the Department of Research and Training participated fully in compiling the report.

The report is based mainly on the secondary information collected from existing documents gathered from different departments dealing with cassava in one way or -another. Also different reference materials of the previous case studies were consulted

Results obtained from the study are summarised below:

Cassava in Tanzania is an integral component of most cropping systems and is among the more important staples in many zones. It plays an important role as a food security crop and provides useful opportunities for extending labour use and exploiting price peaks in the food market.

The country realizes the importance of cassava and has given the second priority ranking in its national research. The crop is ranked number one in three zones,and second in only two zones.

The National Root Crops Improvement Program where cassava falls has set major priority objectives and strategies for developing cassava but lacks resources for executing them;except for the collaborative activities done with the external funding.
Networking with various regional and international networks contributes substantially in support to cassava research

The current cassava productivity is near the lower end of internationally reported yields. Among major constraints are: prevalence of devastating pests/diseases,shortage of planting material; drought,poor soil fertility, use of varieties with low genetic potential; and low adoption rates of research recommendations. Other key constraints include the low level of utilization of cassava and poor post harvest handling techniques of cassava at farm level. There is a limited number of convenient products from cassava which makes cassava less competitive with other staples particularly in the urban areas where there is an assured market.

Poor transportation makes market accessibility by cassava growers difficult. Other market infrastructure including credit facilities, presence of processing machines etc are of low side compared to other countries in Africa. Sites to play texas hold em online. We know the best.

Research interventions, their successes and limitations have been discussed in the report. Lessons learned and implications for strategies are outlined. Some proposed strategies to improve the efficiency of cassava research and development include:

Emphasis to be given on the improvement of cassava genetic potential so as to develop varieties with desirable acceptability, good resistance to pests and diseases and high root yield. This should go along with the strong commitment in multiplication of clean healthy planting materials of the released varieties and other potential local varieties. This can be achieved only if support to research can be increased both in terms of funds and human resources. Facilities for rapid propagation could boost the efforts of multiplication.

Improvement of cropping systems with cassava especially in the area of low input costs in soil fertility maintenance cannot be overemphasized.. Control of pests and diseases through use of integrated pest management could serve as a low cost, environmental friendly approach towards minimizing the problems at farm Ievel

The need for cassava food products whish are acceptable and ready to use is indicated. Proposals are made for the market evaluation of such products, with provision for food education and pilot scale production if further development, is merited. Integration of cassava as raw material in industrial sector and livestock feed is yet to be investigated.

Similarly proposals have been made to improve the capability of the extension service through a programme of training, staff development, and emphasis on client oriented research.

A very big potential for increased cassava production can only be achieved if key issues identified are addressed at national level.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

We wish to acknowledge the different administrators of our respective offices for granting us permission to undertake this study. The office of Commissioner, Research and Training Department, Dar es Salaam is thanked for all the logistical support provided. Dr. G. Mitawa, the Assistant Commissioner for Crops Research is highly acknowledged for his technical input to improve the report.

Various key informants visited are appreciated for providing the information. IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development), Rome, Italy is highly acknowledged for soliciting funds to support this work.

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