Cassava could become a major revenue source for the economy, comparable to cocoa, provided it receives proper attention, according to the Deputy Director of Agriculture at the Directorate of Crop Services of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), George Prah, .
Prah noted the substantial local and international demand for cassava and its derivatives. He made these remarks during the launch of the International Cassava Fair (Feira International Da Mandioca or FIMAN) 2023, scheduled for November 21-23, 2023, in Paranavai, Brazil. The Agrihouse Foundation, an NGO that holds the franchise for the event, is organizing the International Cassava Fair.
Ghana currently produces 22 million tonnes of cassava annually, mainly the edible variety for consumption, and the country’s industry consumes about one million tonnes of this cassava.
The government has identified cassava as a key crop under the revamped Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) initiative. The PFJ 2.0 plan will establish Cassava Zones in cassava-producing regions, with aggregators offering support to farmers through improved seeds, farm inputs, and the purchase of their produce.
The International Cassava Fair in Brazil aims to expose exhibitors to new technologies and innovations in cassava production and processing, connect cassava farmers with new markets, and facilitate business deals. It also provides an opportunity for participants to explore new agricultural machinery and innovations.
Ivo Pierin, Managing Partner at Podium Alimentos, noted that Brazil possesses numerous technologies, machinery, and innovations that could help enhance cassava production, making the location of the fair ideal.
Alberta Nana Akyaa Akosa, Executive Director of Agrihouse Foundation, highlighted that FIMAN has become the largest cassava event in Brazil, with its roots dating back to 2016. The inaugural edition in 2016 featured 61 exhibiting companies and attracted around 4,500 visitors, with the subsequent 2018 edition achieving remarkable success and contributing significantly to the growth and development of the sector.
“Two years later, in 2018, the fair grew even more with 100 companies exhibiting, receiving approximately 5,200 exhibitors,” she stated.
Ms. Akosa outlined various activities planned for the program, including business presentations, exhibitions, panel discussions, and educational trips. Participants can look forward to networking opportunities and business-to-business matchmaking.
Michael Akoto, the Trade Promotion Officer at the Brazilian Embassy, emphasized that Ghana has much to gain from Brazil’s expertise in cassava production and processing.