Sierra Leone Gets New Cassava Processing Centre

Sierra Leone Gets New Cassava Processing Centre

Farmers in Sierra Leone have been provided a cassava processing centre that will strengthen the food value chain and boost the processing of the root crop.

The centre is being funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID, in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA, as part of projects for seven African countries.

It is aimed at cushioning the negative impact of the 2007/2008 food price crisis that led to food riots in some countries of the West African region.

Located  in Sagila, Kailahun district - about eight hours drive from Freetown in eastern Sierra Leone, the micro processing centre will absorb and process cassava roots being produced by resource-poor farmers in that community.

The community's spokesman said the centre will change the food security status of the area.

Chief MK Mustapha, Paramount Chief of Sagila said' ”currently, we have Cassava on our farms that are rotting on the ground but with this proceeding centre, the situation will change.''

Since 2008, IITA and partners working on the ‘ Unleashing the power of Cassava in Africa' (UPoCA) project, with support from USAID have stepped up efforts in rebuilding Sierra–Leone, through improving crops' yield and creating wealth.

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