The SARD-SC project with funding from the African Development Bank (AFDB), has constructed and established a multi-purpose cassava processing factory in IITA Kalambo station, DR. Congo. The factory, which has four units, will be used for cassava processing, fabrication of equipment, soybean processing and exhibition of processed products.
The first of its kind in the South –Kivu area, the factory, will among other things, promote food security through conservation and transformation of agricultural produce into marketable processed products. The cassava processing unit will be used to process cassava into garri and high quality starch and other 20 by- products for household consumption and income generation for the farmers and other stakeholders in the region. The fabrication of processing equipment such as Graters, Sieves, Miller, Press, Chippers and Drying table will be undertaken in the second unit of the facility.
The launching of the factory on the 5th of June, 2014, in Kalambo, DRC, attracted visitors as well as donors represented by the top echelons of donor groups to the event. The Honourable Ministers of Agriculture from DRC and Burundi, and the South-Kivu Governor as well as the Catholic Arch Bishop of the diocese of Bukavu attended the launching and commended IITA for the building and innovation of processing cassava into various products.
The Director –General of IITA, Dr. Nteranya Sanginga was visibly elated by the construction of the factory and culinary innovations that have spawned 20 different cassava products introduced to the DR. Congo, during the launching. Through the tutelage of Mr. Samiran Mazumdar, Head, Hotel and Catering Services, IITA, Ibadan, he showed the several culinary delights that can be made from cassava and soybean flour. The importance of processing agricultural produce, he emphasized was for value added as means of reducing importation, creating employment opportunities and raising national revenue.
Some of the visitors admired and tasted more than 40 baked products from cassava and soybean flour. Perhaps for the first time in their lives, the guests tasted various cassava cookies to their delightful surprise.
On display during the launching were the products made from cassava such as Cassava bread, 400% cassava bread,20% cassava bread, cassava Cake, Cassava Doughnuts, Cassava Queen Cakes, Cassava chin-chin, Cassava root fritters, Cassava coconuts Cookies, Cassava Egg Rolls, Cassava Root Croquettes, Cassava Strips, Cassava Sausage Rolls, Cassava Meat pie, Scrambled Tofu, Tofu Kebab, Cassava Biscuits, High quality cassava flour. Other products made from Soybean are Soy Sausage Rolls, Soy Muffins, Soy Cheese, Soy Milk, Soy Pastry Pie, Soy Biscuits, Soy Peanut Butter Cookies, Soy Queen Cakes, Soy oatmeal cookies, Soy cakes.