Classified as a Major Project by the Government of Cameroon for 2025, NALDCCAM’s industrial cassava initiative — based in Nanga-Eboko and Tibati, Adamawa Region — targets over 650,000 tonnes of cassava production across 15,000 hectares. The project aims to create 10,000 jobs while supplying flour, starch, ethanol, and derivatives to domestic and export markets.
Classified as a Major Project by the Government of Cameroon for 2025, NALDCCAM’s industrial cassava initiative — based in Nanga-Eboko and Tibati, Adamawa Region — targets over 650,000 tonnes of cassava production across 15,000 hectares. The project aims to create 10,000 jobs while supplying flour, starch, ethanol, and derivatives to domestic and export markets.
The industrial cassava initiative is NALDCCAM’s most ambitious project to date, integrating the company’s soil intelligence capabilities with industrial processing to create a vertically integrated value chain. The project demonstrates the potential of technology-driven agricultural transformation at scale and positions NALDCCAM as a major player in agricultural processing.
The Opportunity: Cassava in Cameroon
Cassava is a critical crop for Cameroon, providing food security for millions and serving as a source of income for smallholder farmers. However, the country’s cassava sector has historically been constrained by:
Low yields, averaging 10-12 tonnes per hectare compared to the potential of 25-30 tonnes. Limited processing capacity, resulting in high post-harvest losses and low value addition. Quality challenges, limiting access to export markets. Fragmented value chains, with farmers receiving a small share of the final value.
The industrial cassava initiative addresses these constraints by integrating technology, improved genetics, and processing capacity.
The Project’s Components
The industrial cassava initiative has several components:
IoT Sensor Deployment – NALDCCAM’s sensors will monitor soil health across the 15,000 hectares, providing the intelligence needed to optimize production.
Improved Genetics – IRAD’s hybrid cassava varieties, developed through the partnership with NALDCCAM, will be planted on the project land, achieving yields of 25-30 tonnes per hectare.
Industrial Processing – Processing facilities will be established in Nanga-Eboko and Tibati, converting cassava into flour, starch, ethanol, and other derivatives.
Market Access – NALDCCAM’s marketplace will connect the processing facilities with buyers, enabling commercialization of the processed products.
Job Creation – The project aims to create 10,000 jobs across the value chain, from farming and harvesting to processing and logistics.
Training and Capacity Building – Training programs will be provided to farmers and workers, building skills and ensuring high-quality production.
The Economic Impact of the Project
The industrial cassava initiative is projected to generate significant economic benefits:
Increased Farm Incomes – Farmers participating in the project will achieve yields of 25-30 tonnes per hectare, compared to the national average of 10-12 tonnes. At current market prices, this translates to a 2-3x increase in income per hectare.
Job Creation – 10,000 jobs will be created across the value chain, providing employment and income in rural areas.
Value Addition – Processing cassava into flour, starch, and ethanol captures more value domestically, reducing imports and generating export revenue.
Import Substitution – The production of cassava starch and ethanol can substitute for imports, improving the trade balance.
Economic Diversification – The project contributes to economic diversification, reducing dependence on oil and other commodities.
The Government’s “Major Project” Classification
The classification of the industrial cassava initiative as a Major Project by the Government of Cameroon is significant. The designation provides:
Government Support – Access to government resources, including land, infrastructure, and regulatory support.
Priority Status – Priority in government processes, including permitting, land allocation, and regulatory approvals.
Public-Private Partnership – Access to public-private partnership mechanisms that can accelerate project implementation.
International Visibility – Recognition of the project as a model for agricultural transformation, attracting international attention and investment.
The Major Project classification reflects the government’s commitment to agricultural transformation and its confidence in NALDCCAM’s ability to deliver the project.
The Path to 650,000 Tonnes
The target of 650,000 tonnes of cassava production across 15,000 hectares requires:
Achieving Target Yields – With yields of 25-30 tonnes per hectare, the project can achieve 375,000-450,000 tonnes from the 15,000 hectares. Additional production from surrounding farms will contribute to the total.
Expanding Land Under Management – The project will encourage neighboring farmers to adopt improved practices, expanding the production base.
Developing Processing Capacity – Processing facilities will be scaled to handle the production volume, with capacity for 650,000 tonnes.
Building Market Relationships – Buyers will be secured for the processed products, ensuring commercial viability.
Conclusion: A Model for Agricultural Transformation
The industrial cassava initiative demonstrates NALDCCAM’s vision and capability for agricultural transformation. By integrating IoT sensors, improved genetics, and industrial processing, the company is building a vertically integrated value chain that generates economic benefits and contributes to food security and job creation.
As the project is implemented, it will provide lessons for scaling across Cameroon and Africa. The integration of technology, genetics, and processing offers a model for how African agriculture can transform from subsistence to commercial success.
