Projects

Project rationale

Cassava is one of the most important and strategic economic crops, contributing a significant share to the economies in the Mekong region.  Currently, Thailand is the world’s largest exporter of cassava starch followed by Cambodia and Vietnam with the value of approximately 90% world market share due to the availability of cassava input and advanced technology of cassava processing. Our analysis found that several gaps still exist in the cassava value chain in the region as follows:

• Lack of strengthening the value chain through networking and partnerships at the regional and international levels.
• Lack of knowledge of new cultivation methods, ways to combat disease, and access to improved varieties.
• Lack of investment in product-specific cassava cultivation, i.e., starch and value-added product, energy and resources efficiency, and zero waste discharge.
• Lack of knowledge of modern innovation/ technical improvements in cassava starch industry.
• Lack of awareness of environmental and health issues.

To address these issues, there is an urgent need to improve productivity and overall efficiency of cassava value chain. Renewable energy production and utilization as well as improved energy efficiency, are positive steps to enhance the overall competitiveness of cassava value chain in CLMV. The capacity building via development training modules for increased cassava yield and quality, starch and value-added product as well as waste management need to be implemented.

Objectives

1. To strengthen and sustain the development of the CLMVT region's cassava industry by knowledge and technology transfer and research and industrial work cooperation.
2. To strengthen the skills and mobility of the CLMVT participants through an exchange of knowledge and experience via training courses relating to the cassava value chain

Outcomes

1. Enhancing industry network to lend sustainable support of cassava technology hub to the region
2. Strengthening the capacity of cassava value chain actors to increase production and reduce loss

Outputs

1. Cassava knowledge and technology hub
2. Manuals and tool kits
3. Project lesson learnt
4. 90 trained operators from CLMVT countries (30 per batch from cassava cultivation, starch and biogas industry)

Funding

394,005 USD – Mekong-Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF)

Duration

2.5 years (1 July 2020 – 31 December 2022)

Number of participants

90 from 5 Participating countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand)

Project components

• A-1. Cassava knowledge and technology hub established for disseminating and supporting the technology transfer
• A-2. Manuals and tool kits developed for technology transfer
• A-3. Project lesson learnt and cassava technology widely distributed
• B-1. Training of cassava cultivation technology for cassava producers and farmers
• B-2. Training of cassava starch technology for plant managers, operators and technicians in cassava starch plant
• B-3. Training of waste management & utilization for plant managers, operators and technicians in biogas plant

Project management

Training modules

• Training Module 1 – Cassava Root: Techniques for Sustainable Production
• Training Module 2 – Cassava Starch: Processing Technology
• Training Module 3 – Cassava Waste: Biogas Production and Waste Management