Acknowledgements The authors like to thank all those who have contributed to this study in one way or another. In particular, thanks are due to the many farmers, traders, processors, Government representatives and NGOs, who have provided information and given their time. We are grateful to colleagues from GASIP, MOFA, IFAD, and NRI for their advice. Last but not least we would like to thank the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for providing the funds for undertaking this study, however the views expressed here are not necessarily those of IFAD. Summary and Recommendations This cassava value chain analysis has been carried out in May and June 2016 in Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana, as a joint initiative of the IFAD supported Ghana Agricultural Sector Investment Programme (GASIP) and the Increasing Performance of the Cassava Industry in West and Central Africa (IPCI) project. The objective was to gather cassava value chain related data and pilot a methodology to analyse the data with a view to undertake similar analyses in other parts of the country. The emphasis of the study was on cassava root production, gari processing, and wholesale trading of fresh cassava roots. The methodology employed in this study draws on value chain analysis and elements of the ‘filière’ approach. The indicators calculated include value of production, processing, and trading; use of intermediate goods and services (IGS); value addition in terms of land, labour, financial resources use, taxes and duties, and generation of profit margins. Equity considerations have been taken into account by comparing labour inputs with profit margins in selected parts of the value chain. Depreciation of investments have been analysed where applicable. Factor cost ratios have been calculated in order to assess the performance of the value chain. The Brong Ahafo Region is one of the ten Administrative Regions of Ghana. It has a total land area of 39,557sqkm, covering 16.6% of Ghana’s total land area. The population stood at 2,310,983 in 2010. The Region is well endowed with natural resources and considered the bread basket of the country, in that it produces approximately 30% of the country’s food requirements. The Brong Ahafo Region was selected for the study because it ranks as one of the highest cassava producing regions in the country. The study team interacted with Regional and District
Local economic system; Availability of land; land tenure system; soil quality Crops grown (in general, and importance of cassava in the farming system); Role of women in agricultural production, processing, and trading; Organisation of farmers and processors (i.e. associations). Cassava production in the region (are there statistics available?) Varieties and their characteristics; Types of processed cassava products produced in the region; Technology used for cassava production and processing; Role of women in cassava production and processing. General constraints faced by producers and processors; Cassava projects and other initiatives in the region; how well have they done? Role of extension services (Government, NGOs, private sector players) Cassava processing What type of cassava processing does take place in the region? Which processed products are prepared, quantities of cassava used, stakeholders involved, technologies used. Cassava markets – main markets, actors, and prices? Main markets: community markets, wholesale and retail markets – their location and size in terms of turn-over Main actors involved: collectors, wholesalers, retailers Processed cassava products (please specify using percentages as much as possible) How much fresh or processed cassava goes into which channel (percentages) Prices at different levels in the value chain Functioning of the value chain – do mapping exercise Therefore best to take flip-chart paper and marker pens Steps involved between production and consumption for different chains Stakeholders involved
Table 1a: Cassava production – costs and inputs (GhC per acre) Location: ___________________ Date: __________ Interviewee: __________________ Time/season covered: _____ # Operations (first to last in season) Labour requirements Input requirements Remarks Person - days Cost / day Total costs Qty Units Cost/ unit Total costs
Table 1b: Cassava production – costs and inputs (GhC per acre) - continued Location: ___________________ Date: __________ Interviewee: __________________ Time/season covered: _____ # Operations (first to last in season) Labour requirements Input requirements Remarks Person - days Cost / day Total costs Qty Units Cost/ unit Total costs
3: List of investments – Cassava processing Type of investment Investment costs (in GhC) Useful life Capital costs (interest rate and instalments) Maintenance Land Buildings Machines 1 Machines 2 Water and sewerage infrastructure Vehicle (e.g. pick-up truck) Other
WENCHI AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH STATION Macilinus Babai Wenchi Agric. Station Research Officer Wenchi John Aja Wenchi Agric. Station Research Officer Wenchi David Gyan Wench Agric. Station Research Officer Wenchi Arthur Robert Wenchi Agric. Station Station Manager Wenchi Rev. Daniel Osei Sarfo Wenchi Agric. Station Research Officer AMPONSAKROM Fuseini Seidu Adombi Apue Cassava Farmers and Processors Association Cassava producer Amponsakrom, Region Stephen Danyi Adombi Apue Cassava Farmers and Processors Association Chairman Amponsakrom, Region Mariana Issah Adombi Apue Cassava Farmers and Processors Association Producer and Processor Amponsakrom, Region Mahamudu Alhassan Adombi Apue Cassava Farmers and Processors Association Producer Amponsakrom, Region Jalia Mahama Adombi Apue Cassava Farmers and Processors Association Producer Amponsakrom, Region Nana Achireku Adombi Apue Cassava Farmers and Processors Association Producer Amponsakrom, Region Abu Gyawu Adombi Apue Cassava Farmers and Processors Association Producer Amponsakrom, Region ASOGYA AGRO PROCESSING CENTR Mrs. Faustina Sekyi Asogya Agro Processing centre Managing Director Asueyi, Techiman District, District KOKOFU, KWAME DANSO, ATEBUBU Odokuo Gari Processors Kokofu, Atebubu. TECHIMAN MARKET Techiman Central Market Cassava Trader Techiman AMADU FARMS