CBN-V Video Archives - S1-15
Policy Review of Cassava Processing, Marketing and Distribution in Malawi

Mataya C., K. Sichinga, R. Kachule and T. Tchale

Bunda College of Agriculture, University of Malawi, PO Box 219, Lilongwe, Malawi c_mataya@yahoo.com

        Cassava in Malawi is produced mainly for household consumption as staple diet in the southern and northern regions, especially among low income households and as a snack and substitute for bread among most households, including those in high income category. Although demand for cassava products in the processing industries including bakeries, timber, cloth manufactures is steadily rising, they predominantly depend on imports to meet their requirements. This clearly demonstrates the opportunity for small and large scale farmers to invest and profit from this commodity. Out of the total cassava produced in the growing season 2000/2001, an estimated 346 000 tonnes was marketed while the rest was consumed as staple food (809 000 tonnes). There are two main channels for cassava. The first is the fresh market which accounts for 80% of the market share. The second is industrial utilization which takes up the remaining 20% and is estimated at 2 million metric tonnes, which represents the current total production. If Malawi were to process industrial starch and its by-products like ethanol, glucose, glue and paste, more than 4 million tonnes of cassava would be required to meet both household and industrial demand. Despite increasing production of cassava, its contribution to Malawi’s economy is marginal relative to tobacco, tea and sugar, largely due to the subsistence nature of its production and lack of linkage to industry. More that 67% of smallholder farmers grow cassava. However, the production pattern is not only haphazard and scattered, but areas grown by individual farmers are on average small relative to other major cash crops. Industrial utilization of cassava is limited by lack of established grades and standards and inadequate market information exchange. In addition, there is little information on how cassava can be utilized in the industries as substitutes to other flour and starch products. Nevertheless, Malawi stands a good chance of improving the economy through cassava if the constraints are addressed. This paper analyses the marketing chain of cassava from production through processing to industrial use, with a view to provide information on which policies and strategies on marketing and commercialisation of cassava can be developed. We review the current production, marketing and distribution of cassava and identify major bottlenecks constraining growth and development of this sub-sector. In addition, the paper analyses the effects of past and current agricultural policies on the production, processing and marketing of cassava with a view to determine areas where improvements can be made. The paper concludes by making recommendations on how cassava production can be linked to the industry and the world market.

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