Govt moves to strengthen cassava value chain

DODOMA: THE government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the cassava value chain by expanding production, securing reliable markets and attracting private-sector investment in processing industries.

Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Mr David Silinde, told the National Assembly that the government, working jointly with private stakeholders, continues to implement a national cassava development strategy, which aims at boosting productivity, ensuring stable markets and promoting value addition through modern processing.

He noted that Kakonko and Kibondo District Councils in Kigoma Region are among the country’s strategic cassava production zones targeted for accelerated support.

The deputy minister was responding to a question from Kakonko MP, Mr Alan Mvano (CCM), who sought to know what plans the government has to guarantee assured markets for cassava farmers in his constituency.

Mr Silinde said that in the 2025/2026 financial year, the government has allocated funds to build market infrastructure, drying facilities, processing units and storage structures in Kakonko District.

“The ministry has already completed a site assessment for the construction of these facilities, including preliminary designs, drawings and cost estimates, to pave the way for procurement of a contractor,” he said.

He added that the government expectations are that all procedures will be concluded promptly to enable farmers to begin adding value to their produce, reduce post-harvest losses and gain improved market access.

ALSO READ: Tanzania: Three natural gas wells drilling to start soon

In a supplementary question, the MP raised concerns over the sharp drop in cassava prices from 800/- per kilogramme to between 150/- and 200/-, a situation that has discouraged many farmers from harvesting their crop due to low returns.

Responding, Mr Silinde said the government will continue improving production efficiency and value addition to protect farmers from price shocks.

“The key is boosting productivity and processing. When farmers dry and preserve their cassava, it lasts longer, giving them flexibility to sell at better prices instead of being forced to offload at low farm-gate rates,” he said.

He emphasised that strengthening processing capacity and the cassava value chain remains central to stabilising prices and safeguarding farmers’ incomes nationwide