High quality cassava flour and industrial starches

Extend Freshness, Expand Opportunities with Cassava Flour!

High-Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) is a product derived from cassava, a starchy root crop, and is specifically focused on the characteristics and attributes of the product itself. HQCF is a finely processed cassava flour that is produced without fermentation, resulting in an odorless, white or off-white flour. It is created through a series of production steps that include raw material selection, peeling, washing, grating, pressing, disintegration, sifting, drying, milling, screening, packaging, and storage.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

8•7

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 7/9

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

The poor: Positive low

Under 18: Positive high

Women: Positive high

Farmer climate change readiness: Moderate improvement

Environmental health: Greatly improves environmental health

Soil quality: Does not affect soil health and fertility

Water use: Same amount of water used

Carbon footprint: More carbon released

Problem

The HQCF technology adressed several problem such as:

Short shelf life: Fresh cassava roots, with their high water content, quickly perish and mold, posing a significant challenge for storage and market sales.
Cyanide toxicity: Traditional processing methods aim to eliminate toxic cyanide compounds present in cassava, requiring additional steps to make it safe for consumption.
Limited market opportunities: Traditional cassava flour production methods do not offer significant market prospects for smallholder cassava farmers.
High transport costs: Converting fresh roots into High-Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) reduces transportation costs from farms to processing facilities.
Extended shelf life: HQCF production contributes to longer shelf life for the raw food product, addressing the issue of the perishability of fresh roots.

Solution

Production of High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) to extend the shelf life of cassava roots.

Extended Shelf Life: HQCF offers a longer shelf life compared to fresh cassava roots, reducing post-harvest losses.
Reduced Transportation Costs: Processing cassava roots into HQCF decreases transportation costs from farms to processing facilities, enhancing logistical efficiency.
Improved Quality: The HQCF production process, unlike fermentation used in other cassava products like fufu or gari, produces an odorless flour with a white or off-white color, enhancing its overall quality.
Versatility: HQCF and derived starches can be used in the manufacturing of a diverse range of foods and products, providing versatility in application.
Import Substitution: HQCF can serve as a substitute for imported starch sources like wheat, contributing to food security and reducing import costs.

Key points to design your project

High-Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) is a non-fermented cassava product with an odorless, white/off-white appearance. It addresses the challenge of perishable fresh cassava roots, offering longer shelf life and reduced transport costs. HQCF, produced through specific steps, holds potential for various food and goods manufacturing.

The High-Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) technology promotes gender equality by providing economic opportunities for women and youth. Climate-wise, it reduces carbon footprint and encourages sustainable agricultural practices. Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), HQCF contributes to poverty reduction, food security, and economic growth in rural communities.

To integrate this technology into your project, create a list of project activities and prerequisites: - Estimate the quantity of root for your project knowing that a demonstrator carried out in Madagascar showed that processing 288MT of fresh cassava roots into HQCF over a year costed USD 17,238, which corresponds to a production cost of USD 60 per MT fresh root product.

- As the technology is developed and available in Nigeria include the delivery cost to the project site and account for import clearance and duties if relevant.

A team of trainers could provide training and support during project installation. Include the cost for training and post-training support for using the technology. Communication support for the technology should be developed (flyers, videos, radio broadcasts, etc.).

For better optimization of this technology, it is recommended to associate this technology with Golden cassava varieties, Cassava varieties with high dry matter and starch content, Mobile cassava processing plant. You could also collaborate with agricultural development institutes.

25 %

Reduction of wheat flour in bakeries

1 ton HQCF from 5.5 tons fresh cassava roots

Cassava root to HQCF conversion ratio

IP

Open source / open access

Scaling Readiness describes how complete a technology’s development is and its ability to be scaled. It produces a score that measures a technology’s readiness along two axes: the level of maturity of the idea itself, and the level to which the technology has been used so far.

Each axis goes from 0 to 9 where 9 is the “ready-to-scale” status. For each technology profile in the e-catalogs we have documented the scaling readiness status from evidence given by the technology providers. The e-catalogs only showcase technologies for which the scaling readiness score is at least 8 for maturity of the idea and 7 for the level of use.

The graph below represents visually the scaling readiness status for this technology, you can see the label of each level by hovering your mouse cursor on the number.

Scaling readiness score of this technology

Maturity of the idea 8 out of 9

Uncontrolled environment: tested

Level of use 7 out of 9

Common use by projects NOT connected to technology provider

Maturity of the idea										Level of use
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9

Enabling Environments for Sustainable Regional Agriculture Extension (ENSURE)

Project funder: African Development Bank & East Africa Community
Planned Budget: USD 13.14 million
Location: East African Community (Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda)
Planned duration: 2024–2027
Deployment means: On-farm demonstrations, training, digital tools (SMS, IVR, video, radio, pictorial guides), bundled inputs + advisory services, Training of Trainers (ToT)
Project main implementer: East African Community (EAC)
Project Description: Strengthen agricultural extension systems using digital tools, private-sector approaches, regional coordination, and multi-commodity focus (maize, cassava, rice, drought-resilient crops).
Objective: Promote regional extension, enhance advisory services, scale climate-smart technologies, build sustainable private sector–led extension systems, strengthen policy and regulatory frameworks.
Expected outcome: Increased adoption of improved technologies, improved farmer productivity and profitability, enhanced access to quality inputs and pest management solutions, strengthened resilience to climate and pest risks, regional market integration, job creation for youth and agripreneurs.
Figures of adoption: Target 3 million farmers reached over 4 years, digital extension pilots in 7 EAC states, training of extension agents, lead farmers, cooperatives, and youth agripreneurs, rollout of Pest Information Management Systems (PIMS).
Profiles of adopters: Smallholder farmers, women, youth agripreneurs, cooperatives and producer organizations, public and private extension agents, National Plant Protection Officers (NPPOs).
Lessons learnt: System-level approaches needed beyond technology delivery, digital tools most effective with in-person facilitation, supportive policy/regulatory environment critical, regional harmonization boosts scalability and cross-border diffusion of technologies.

Projet d’Appui au Développement des Chaînes de Valeurs en soutien au Programme de Transformation de l’Agriculture (PADCV-PTA)

Project funder: African Development Bank
Planned Budget: USD 311.609 million
Location: 6 provinces in Congo (Kongo Central, Kwango, Maï-Ndombe, Kasaï Oriental, Lomami, Sud-Kivu)
Planned duration: 2024–2029
Deployment means: Direct access to improved seeds and planting materials, seed system strengthening (INERA, SENASEM, multipliers), Farmer Field Schools and demonstration plots (1,600 sites), strengthened public extension (SNV), training/capacity building, subsidized or cost-shared inputs and equipment, irrigation infrastructure (5,200 ha), rural road rehabilitation (600 km), contract farming and private sector partnerships
Project main implementer: Social Fund of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Project Description: Implements the National Pact for Food and Agriculture (PNAA) using an integrated value chain approach combining technology access (seeds, practices), infrastructure development (irrigation, roads), extension services, farmer organization, finance, and market access to boost productivity, reduce imports, strengthen resilience, and structure agricultural value chains.
Objective: Restore national seed capital, scale improved and climate-resilient technologies, increase productivity, facilitate access to inputs/advisory/markets/finance, promote climate-smart agriculture, strengthen farmer organizations and value chain governance, reduce food imports, and enhance resilience to climate shocks and conflict.
Expected outcome: ~80% crop yield increase (rice, cassava, maize, soybean), 1.68 million tons/year additional production, expansion of irrigated rice, improved access to seeds/inputs, stronger farmer organizations, better post-harvest handling and market integration, increased private sector engagement, reduced food imports, improved national food security.
Figures of adoption: 900,000 farming households directly supported, ~295,000 ha cultivated with improved seeds, 5,200 ha irrigated rice, 600 km rural roads rehabilitated, 1,600 FFS/demonstration plots, 2 million households indirectly benefiting, +4.1 million tons private sector processing, ~1.68 million tons annual production increase
Profiles of adopters: Smallholder farmers, women farmers (100% of women-headed households in target areas), youth/agripreneurs, internally displaced persons (IDPs) in South Kivu, seed producers, cooperatives, farmer organizations/inter-professional associations, public extension services, local authorities
Lessons learnt: Infrastructure (irrigation, roads) and market access are critical for adoption, seed system reform is a bottleneck, contract farming/aggregation incentivizes adoption, combining inputs + extension + finance accelerates impact, governance and institutional coordination are key for scaling and sustainability

Projet de Développement des Chaînes de Valeurs Manioc, Igname, et Patate douce au Bénin (BEN1019)

Project funder: Islamic Development Bank (IsDB/BID) and the Government of Benin
Planned Budget: Approximately USD 64 million (including USD 250,000 for digitalization, USD 200,000 for alternative energy, national counterpart 1.5 million Euros)
Location: Benin – 20 communes across Agricultural Development Poles 4, 5, 6, and 7 (regions: Borgou, Donga, Collines, Couffo, Mono, Atlantique, Ouémé, Plateau, Zou)
Planned duration: Priority intervention under Government Action Program (PAG II 2021–2026)
Deployment means: Access to quality plant material, specialized technical training, production/processing equipment, digitalization initiatives
Project main implementer: Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries
Project Description: Transform cassava, yam, and sweet potato value chains to ensure food security, nutrition, and inclusive rural growth
Objective: Ensure food and nutritional security, promote inclusive growth, foster rural prosperity, create local jobs
Expected outcome: Scale Semi Autotrophic Hydroponic (SAH) seed multiplication, improve market access, strengthen capacities of national structures
Figures of adoption: Target 20 communes; USD 100,000 for youth and women capacity building; USD 250,000 for digital service implementation
Profiles of adopters: Smallholder producers, transformation cooperatives, SMEs, women and youth agriculture associations
Lessons learnt:
- Success Factors: Strong partner synergy (e.g., IITA for technical seeds), alignment with national agricultural plans
- Constraints: Need for better rural roads, increased access to mechanization services

Emergency Food Security Support Project (AEFPF - PAUSA)

Project funder: African Development Bank (AfDB) – TSF Pillar 1 Grant
Planned Budget: UA 5 million (~XOF 4.3 billion)
Location: All 8 regions of Guinea-Bissau and the autonomous sector of Bissau
Planned duration: December 2022 – June 2024
Deployment means: TAAT technical assistance, procurement and free distribution of certified seeds, installation of HQCF and SAH units, training for technicians, farmers, and bakers
Project main implementer: Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR), coordinated by World Food Programme (WFP)
Project Description: Provides climate-resilient seeds (cereals, tubers, vegetables) and fertilizers, establishes High-Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) and Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) units for rapid, disease-free cassava propagation
Objective: Increase national food and poultry production, reduce imports, and facilitate farmer access to certified climate-resilient inputs and good agricultural practices
Expected outcome: Significant yield increases (doubling rice; more than doubling cassava); additional production of 37,335 tonnes of food; 1,200,000 cassava plants/year propagation capacity
Figures of adoption: 46,635 vulnerable households provided with inputs; 32,096 ha of land sown; 364 kg of vegetable seeds distributed; 1 HQCF unit and 1 SAH unit established
Profiles of adopters: Vulnerable farming households; at least 50% women overall; 100% women in market gardening activities
Lessons learnt:
- Success Factors: Leveraging TAAT expertise; SAH system is cost-effective and electricity-free; climate-smart varieties critical for resilience
- Constraints: Climate shocks, need for proper technical guidance for specialized propagation systems

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Benin	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Cameroon	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Ghana	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Liberia	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Madagascar	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Malawi	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Nigeria	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Rwanda	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Sierra Leone	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Tanzania	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Togo	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Uganda	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted
Zambia	–No ongoing testing	Tested	–Not adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 3: good health and well-being

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

1. Raw Material Preparation:

Select fresh cassava roots with high dry matter, and low levels of bitter-tasting cyanides.
Harvest and deliver the cassava roots within a day or two after harvest for optimal quality.

2. Processing HQCF:

Use a grater to reduce the size of cassava roots.
Dewater the grated cassava using a press to remove excess water.
Dry the dewatered cassava using a solar or flash dryer.
Comminute (reduce particle size) the dried cassava using a pin mill.
Screen the comminuted material to achieve the desired particle size.
Package the HQCF using a stitching machine.
Ensure the entire process takes place within a short timeframe to maintain quality.

4. Electricity Supply:

Ensure a reliable supply of low-cost electricity, which can be obtained from the national grid, diesel generators, or photovoltaic panels.
This is essential for uninterrupted and cost-effective manufacturing of HQCF and starches.

Last updated on 9 April 2026