In continuation of our #SundayspecialwithOlucassava, I will be writing about Cassava value chain and how it can be a tool to create wealth for nation in need of it. I hope you will be blessed after reading this piece. This is #Part1 of it.


#Part 1: How to create Wealth for a nation in need.
Cassava is a valuable crop that can contribute to creating wealth for a nation in need of economic miracle like Nigeria. We have overly relied too much on crude oil and natural gas export. Cassava can be a tool of diversification for the economy based on the fact that all Nigerian states plants cassava and Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world but not the an exporter of it. To effectively export cassava and its derived products, a value chain approach need to be employed to unlock the economic potential of cassava and create opportunities for wealth creation at various stages of the value chain across the nation.

This value chain start with series of activities that are involved in producing and delivering cassava and it's derived products to processors, industrial users and final consumers. It consists of all the activities that add can value to the product or service. We are starting this part one with farming and production of cassava itself.

Farming & Production: The first step in the cassava value chain is production of cassava itself. This is where most Nigerians are, we produce massively by number of hectares been planted and not by the output per hectare planted. Part of the reasons why #CassavahubNG was created is to help farmers unlock the yield and quality of cassava been produced. To unlock value of this part of the value chain, we need to focus on the the following:

*** Planning of the project

*** Land preparation ( land clearing, ploughing, harrowing and possibly Ridging)

*** Agri-input sourcing (cassava stems sourcing, fertilizers and agrochemicals)

***Planting of the stems

*** Weed management operations

*** Harvesting and Post-harvesting operations

Farmers need to be trained on best practices for cassava cultivation, such as land preparation, planting, weed and pest management. This can increase yield per hectare and quality, leading to higher income for farmers.

In the microcosm of the value chain of cassava farming and production, there are various players involved, such as farmers, Equipment hiring companies (for land clearing, ploughing, harrowing, mechanical harvesting operations}, Agricultural inputs suppliers (such as stems, agrochemicals, fertilizers), human planters, human harvesters, transport providers, traders/Middlemen and processors. The value chain starts with cassava farmers who cultivate the crop and open up opportunities for different job roles down the line in process of planing and production.

Cassava farming and production can create significant economic opportunities for farmers and other players in the microcosm of the value chain. Farmers can earn a livelihood from growing and selling cassava, while other service providers can earn their living too from this value chain been created.

Agricultural input suppliers are critical to the success of any farming operations, which most farmers take with levity. To succeed, inputs have to be planned, adequately provided for and also they must buy from quality suppliers. All agrochemicals and fertilizers needed should be pre-bought before planting operation. This will help in making sure all dots are crossed in the execution of the plan. This is where all farmers failed in Nigeria across different crops. We have fire brigade approach to life and this is carried over to our business ventures. So I will advise you to pay attention to agricultural input suppliers and also do proper planning before venturing into cassava or any other things in Agribusiness.

In farming operations of cassava, planting and planting population planning are also important and these will be treated properly under each topics coming later. Every farmers will need to evaluate his/her plant spacing based on varieties, location, soil type, fertilizer plan, climatic condition of the area to get his/her desired yield.
Planting operations is also a means of job creation along the value chain. At #CassavahubNG, we can supply you quality planting materials and also help provide Manual or mechanical planters for your planting operations and also we cane help with pre-emergence and post-emergence spraying operations. We will make sure we help achieve optimum plant population and also provide the best weed management service for you to make your farming operations successful.

Harvesting and post harvest operations : for fact, these are the most critical of any cassava venture or other crops and its often overlooked by most farmers. Most yield loss is at harvesting and post-harvesting operations. It's about 50% loss of the yield. If you plant in areas where there is no value chain for harvesting (manual harvesting nor have mechanical harvester in your catchment area), you will wonder why you plant cassava in the first place. This can be very frustrating if not planned and managed well. To source for labour for harvesting can be an herculean task. So you are adviced to take note of this labour factor in your area before going to cassava farming.
Manual harvesters can be provided by #CassavahubNG in specific places in Oyo state while mechanical harvesters can be provided in Ogun, Oyo and others for farmers with large acreage of about 50 acres under management. You are to provide manual labor to help in cutting of stems of the areas-to-be harvested and also packing/loading of the tubers to pickup/ trucks if the road to the farm is stabilized for large trucks.
I will continue with the #part 2 next week on logistics and supply chain management of the value chain of cassava. I hoped we have learnt one or two things in this write up. I look forward to questions and comments on this thread/post.

N.B: CassavahubNG is a one-stop-center for all cassava activities. We are bridging the gap for all value chain players. We hope to work with you on anything cassava. Call us today to engage us on 07056303044. Email: cassavahubnigeria@gmail.com.

You can also read our previous #SundayspecialwithOlucassava here on this link.



https://www.nairaland.com/7617637/k-factor-cassava-production

Update me your farm location and how to get started on whatsapp +2349034612092 or unclemoringa@gmail.com

Updated

learn and re-learn

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This man you still dey this kontiri, I thought you have japaed!
God Bless you!!!

olushowunm:
You can also read our previous #SundayspecialwithOlucassava here on this link.



https://www.nairaland.com/7617637/k-factor-cassava-production

olushollys:
This man you still dey this kontiri, I thought you have japaed!
God Bless you!!!

yes sir ooo

#Part 2: Cassava Value chain: How to create wealth for people of a nation in need of Economic Miracle : Logistics and supply chain management.

In continuation of "Cassava value chain: How to create wealth for people and a nation in need" series, I will like to welcome you to part 2 of the series; Logistics and supply chain management: this part is very important to the cassava value chain. I will tagged any logistics and supply chain management as the "all important middle".

The cassava value chain involves multiple actors, including farmers, processors, traders, and retailers, it's the "all important middle" that connects all together. Supply chain companies are needed to coordinate their activities to ensure efficient production, processing, and distribution of cassava products.

Logistics and supply chain management in the cassava value chain can be divided into three main stages:

Procurement: This involves sourcing cassava from farmers and transporting it to processing plants. The procurement process involves identifying reliable farmers, middlemen, transport/logistics companies and negotiating prices, and ensuring timely delivery of cassava tubers.

In the procurement section of logistics and supply chain management, we have the "all important middle" . These are everything that go-in-between farmers and processors. This area of logistics is where we need real investment now.
The big middle that can provide liquidity in the entire value chain. This part will help make sure there is efficiency in the sector and reduce drudgery of the cassava production part.

The "all important middle" role will emcopass everything from sourcing of cassava tubers to having pickups/trailers to help mop-up cassava from different farms, and also ensure farmers are paid on the spot at farm gate. This make farmers meet his/her financial obligations and also help them plan the next planting season to increase productivity. The "all important middle" company will ensure processing companies operates at their effective efficiency which allow them to focus on their core business which is processing, while the middleman company take care of feedstock sourcing.

The "all important middle" will also be able to deal with each processor in collaboration with the banks thus they will form a tripartite arrangement in which the "all important middle" company can access financing on the strength of the processors credibility. The bank will help make sure monies earned by both processor and the "all important middle" company are disbursed according to terms thus providing liquidity in the sector. When Banks are not involved in this part of value chain, it makes makes wealth creation and value chain development a mirage. We need the banks to help in this aspect of value chain. The "all important middle" is the missing link in the value chain.



Processing: This stage involves transforming cassava into various products such as flour, starch, and chips. The processing stage requires careful planning and coordination to ensure that the processing plant has a steady supply of cassava and that the processing is done efficiently.

In the processing part of the logistics and supply chain management section. We still have to bring back the "all important middle". There is this story I'd like to tell people that care to listen, it's about one starch processor whom I use to supply cassava tubers. The company have capacity to process 13 trailers (30tons) of cassava tubers per day. But always struggle to see just 1 or 2 trailers per day because of the missing link of the "all important middle" . The processor cannot be sourcing and also be processing. It will reduce the efficiency of the processing and it will also not create wealth for everybody on the value chain. So imagine if the starch processor have sales and purchase agreement with the "all important middle" and their bank in a tripartite arrangement. The "all important middle" will always make sure at least 50 to 90% of the cassava tubers needed per day are met. And these will also encourage farmers to farm more as they are have guaranteed markets to sell cassava. It will also increase the economy of scale and make cassava tubers cheaper to produce.


Distribution: This stage involves transporting the processed cassava products to other factories that will need it to further process other goods. Whom also have another value chain entirely. But at then end, they will sell to consumers. The distribution process requires coordination between the cassava processing plant, other industrial users, traders, and retailers to ensure that the products are delivered on time and in the right condition.

Effective logistics and supply chain management in the cassava value chain can result in several benefits, including:

Improved efficiency and productivity: Efficient supply chain management can help to reduce wastes, drudgery, increase productivity, and improve profitability.

Increased market access: Reliable "all important middle" can help cassava producers to access new markets and expand their production base.

Improved quality: Effective logistics and supply chain management can help to ensure that cassava products are of high quality and meet the required standards. As the company operates at its effective efficiency thus maximizing its fixed costs of labor, electricity and other utilities that are fixed no matter their efficiency.

Reduced costs: Efficient "all important middle" can help to reduce transportation costs, storage costs, and other operational costs due to investment in light duty, mid duty and heavy duty trucks for the evacuation of cassava tubers from different farms simultaneously. This will result to improved profitability for all actors in the value chain.

In conclusion, "all important middle" companies are critical components of the cassava value chain. Effective companies operating in this sphere can help to improve efficiency, increase market access, improve quality, and reduce costs for everybody in the value chain of cassava.

In #part 3, we will take it further from here.

Part 3 coming this Sunday...

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