Airo Cassava Growers’ Initiatives Drive Cassava Use, Food Security , Import Substitution

AMURIA, Uganda – Airo Cassava Growers and Processors Limited has been at the forefront of transforming cassava production, consumption, and value addition in Uganda, a contribution highlighted during the 5th Cassava Festival held in Amuria District.

Since 2018, when the company began promoting cassava as “White Gold,” the crop has grown from being undervalued to becoming Uganda’s second staple food crop after matooke.

Speaking at the festival, the Executive Director, Airo Eseza, popularly known as “Mama Cassava,” said the organization has focused on training farmers, building markets, and promoting value-added cassava products.

“Cassava is no longer just food. It is income, food security, and an opportunity for agro-industrial growth,” Eseza said.

Expanding Cassava Use and Supporting Import Substitution

Eseza noted that cassava consumption in Uganda has expanded, with flour increasingly being used in baking bread, cakes, and other products. This aligns with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s call for import substitution, encouraging the use of locally produced cassava flour in place of imported wheat.

“More Ugandans are ordering cassava flour for baking. This shows that local products can substitute imported wheat if supported,” she said.

Dr. Wamani Sam, a research scientist from the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI) under NARO, commended the initiative but said Uganda still needs a law on import substitution to ensure bakeries and factories commit to using locally produced cassava flour.

“We have achieved about 10 percent substitution, but a law is needed to require factories to dedicate an agreed percentage to cassava flour,” Dr. Wamani said.

Scaling Value Addition: Government Support Needed

Airo Cassava Growers currently works with over 50,000 farmers across Teso, Eastern, and Central Uganda, providing training in modern agronomy, post-harvest handling, and value addition. Over 40,000 farmers have benefited from training in the past five years.

Despite this, farmers still face price fluctuations, limited processing capacity, and post-harvest losses, which have forced some to leave cassava to rot or reduce production.

To address this, Airo announced plans to construct a cassava processing factory in Amuria District, with construction expected to start January next year. The UGX 2 billion project is supported through a World Bank grant.

However, Eseza emphasized that World Bank funding alone cannot meet the growing demand. Government of Uganda support is critical to realizing a large-scale processing plant capable of serving Uganda and neighboring countries.

“I wish to sincerely appreciate the President of Uganda, H.E. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, for his continued support to us as Airo Cassava Growers and Processors Limited. We keep respectfully reminding Your Excellency of your pledge to support us in setting up a cassava processing plant. While we are grateful for the World Bank support, the demand is big, and our dream to establish a large processing plant that serves Uganda and neighboring countries will not be achieved without government support. Our farmers are eagerly waiting,” Eseza said.

Farmers Reap Benefits

For farmers, the impact is tangible. Diana Akello, a farmer from Amuria District, said training received through Airo has transformed her harvest and income.

“I now grow cassava on five acres and earn about UGX 10 million annually. With the processing factory, we expect even more income,” she said.

Dr. Wamani added that NaCRRI is developing drought-tolerant and pest-resistant cassava varieties to help farmers cope with climate change and pests, ensuring consistent yields.

Festival Highlights

The 5th Cassava Festival showcased cassava value addition, export potential, and farmer skills development, reflecting Uganda’s growing agro-industrial capabilities.

Uganda currently produces about 2.2 million metric tonnes of cassava annually, with exports valued at approximately USD 7.67 million. Cassava products such as flour, starch, chips, and garri are in demand for food, brewing, animal feed, textiles, bioethanol, and pharmaceuticals.

Through its initiatives, Airo Cassava Growers and Processors Limited continues to turn a traditional crop into a national economic asset, ensuring food security, promoting local industry, supporting import substitution, and expanding opportunities for thousands of farmers.