Abstract:

Cassava is the second most important staple and food security crop after banana in Uganda (Kleih et
al., 2012). It is one of the ten commodities that have been prioritized by the Ugandan Government in
its Agriculture Sector Development Strategy and Investment Plan (DSIP). Uganda is the sixth largest
producer of the crop in Africa, with an estimated 5.2 million tons in 2013 (FAOSTAT; accessed 25
Sept. 2014). It is estimated that in some parts of Uganda, nearly 60% of the people grow cassava and
nearly 90% of the people consume cassava in different forms at least once daily (EAAPP, 2011). Fresh
cassava is widely consumed both in urban and rural areas as a snack and main meal. Fresh cassava
marketing is currently an important source of income (Scoping study). Uganda has a policy of
releasing “sweet varieties”, i.e. varieties with low levels of cyanogens. These varieties are popular,
with consumer demand increasing especially in urban areas, providing incomes to growers and
traders. Retail trade in fresh cassava is dominated by women.