RCPMI - Regional Cassava Processing and Marketing Initiative
Link IFAD-funded roots and tubers projects to regional markets through the development of commodity chains.
The development of the cassava industry is a key component of the IFAD’s regional strategy for Western and Central Africa (WCA). In view of the above, and as a response to a call from African leaders through the New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD), IFAD launched the Regional Cassava Processing and Marketing Initiative (RCPMI). This three-year initiative, entirely financed by the Italian Government for a total value of US$ 1.3 million, was kicked-off through a regional workshop held in Accra (Ghana) in March 2006. However, its operations started only at the end of March 2007, with the appointment of a coordinator (Mr. Andrea Serpagli). The work-plan elaborated by the latter received its approval in July 2007.
The main RCPMI objective is to support the four IFAD-funded Roots and Tubers (R&T) projects in Benin, Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria in:
- pursuing selected market opportunities for cassava and its derivates (mainly in the food and animal feeds domains);
- contributing to increase the degree integration of the various operators active within the different cassava derivates’ chains;
- maximizing cross-fertilization among IFAD and other non-IFAD cassava related initiatives;
- supporting, at a national and regional level, policy dialogue to enhance overall organization and performance of the cassava industry in WCA.
In terms of Strategic Guidelines, RCPMI is to:
- work as a catalyst in relation to the processing and marketing activities planned by the four R&T projects ongoing in the WCA region;
- primarily focus on products with a higher added value (therefore, on cassava derivates rather than on the fresh root);
- maximize the involvement of the private sector into RCPMI activities;
- operate mainly through pilots, which are to be sustainable and easy to replicate;
- implement, to the possible extent, activities having a regional perspective; and
- collaborate with other ongoing initiatives targeting the cassava industry in the WCA region.
The Initiative envisages to function as a catalyst in supporting R&T projects in:
- exchanging/sharing best practices/specific know-how on themes of common interest in a more intensively and consistently manner;
- getting acquainted with, and eventually acquiring, cassava related technological and market/trade knowledge available outside national boundaries;
- developing new cassava derivates and/or revitalizing traditional products;
- making use of new marketing tools and techniques also in the trade of cassava derivates;
- implementing trade activities within so far unexploited segments and niches of regional and international markets; and vi) strengthening chain integration.