Economic viability and competitiveness of processed cassava products among rural women in north and north eastern Uganda

Smallholder cassava farmers in Uganda face a range of production and marketing challenges in the cassava value chain. Cassava processing and value addition is fronted as a viable option to alleviating challenges faced by smallholder farmers in the cassava value chain. The study determined the profitability of cassava processing among smallholder cassava farmers in north and north eastern Uganda. Data were collected from 185 randomly selected smallholder cassava farmers in the districts of Gulu, Kaberamaido, Lira, and Soroti. Data processing and analysis were conducted in SPSS and STATA Statistical packages. The results of gross margin analysis revealed positive gross margins per season for gari at $310.41, flour at $597.58 and chips at $407.198, with net return on cost at 1.64 for gari, flour at 1.02 and chips at 1.18. Therefore the study recommends accelerated improvements in cassava market structure, cassava processing and preserving technology so as to make the desirable contribution to the livelihoods of cassava farmers.