Hundreds of cassava dough producers in communities throughout the Oti Region are experiencing significant financial losses as substantial quantities of processed cassava remain unsold and vulnerable to adverse weather conditions.
A recent visit by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) to the premises of the Ofosu Basic School in the Nkwanta South Municipality uncovered piles of bagged cassava dough stored outdoors under makeshift coverings, with some bags already torn and their contents deteriorating.
This produce serves as a vital source of income for numerous households in the area and had reportedly been processed several months prior for sale to traders from major commercial centers across the country.
However, local residents indicated that the anticipated buyers did not return, leaving producers with large quantities of unsold stock.
The situation has raised concerns among farmers and processors who invested considerable resources in purchasing cassava, processing the crop, packaging the dough, and transporting it to collection points.
Several bags observed by the GNA exhibited signs of spoilage, while domestic animals roamed freely around the storage area, further heightening the risk of contamination and total loss of the product.
Madam Rejoice Manyiba, a food vendor and resident of Ofosu, characterized the situation as unfortunate.
“The owners processed the cassava dough with the expectation that traders would come for it as they typically do, but the market has slowed in recent months. Some buyers have not returned, and the products have remained here for months,” she informed the GNA.
According to her, numerous families rely on cassava processing for their livelihoods, and the current predicament could exacerbate economic hardships within the community if the products continue to go unsold.
Madam Amina Yahya, another resident, attributed the challenges to a decline in demand in certain urban markets and rising transportation costs.
“The traders report that business is not progressing as anticipated in the cities. Consequently, they are hesitant to purchase in large quantities. The producers are suffering because they have already invested in processing the cassava,” she explained.
For many households in the Oti Region, cassava processing is not merely a business endeavor; it represents a crucial source of employment, particularly for women and young individuals engaged in peeling, milling, fermenting, and packaging the product.
Local producers express growing concern that ongoing market challenges may dissuade farmers from expanding production in future farming seasons.
By Kingsley Mamore, GNA
Source: Access Agric
