This Research was about the effects of “Cassava: Adding Value for Africa” (C:AVA) project on cassava
farmers and processors in the Ewekoro area of Ogun state, Nigeria. Respondent for this study were
selected from five groups of processors targeted by the project in the area. They consisted of five pure
cassava farmers and fifteen cassava processors because the ratio of men to women in the groups was
about 1:3. Five respondents agreed that the new cassava variety had contributed to higher output.
Cassava farmers did not report any change in asset as a result of their increased output. Six gari
processors reported reduction in cost of cassava grating from one hundred and fifty naira to fifty
naira. Five fufu processors reported reduction in cost of hiring drums from two hundred and fifty naira
to a hundred naira. Eleven cassava processors reported that the processing equipment received from
C:AVA had increased the volume of cassava processed and their capability to meet family
expenditures due to reduction in cost. The cassava grits which is an intermediate product of High
Quality Cassava flour (HQCF) was not processed in all the villages visited and groups interviewed.
Based on these findings, this study concluded that the TME 491 cassava stems distributed to farmers
had potential to increase farmers output but the quantity distributed to them was insufficient, the stem
cuttings distributed to farmers did not result in acquisition of new assets, the processing equipment
had increased the volume of cassava processed and reduced their cost.
Key word: Processors, Cassava: Adding Value for Africa” (C:AVA) project, gari.
