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Expression of Interest in Cassava Value Addition for Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Applicants are invited from suitably qualified Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who are willing to engage in cassava value addition as a business. Farm Concern International (FCI), a highly specialized Africa-wide Agri-Market Development Agency, with funding from Food Agriculture Organization of United Nations has been subcontracted to implement the ‘Strengthening linkages between small actors and buyers in the Roots and Tubers sector in Africa project in Malawi focusing on cassava production and processing. The project’s overall objective is to contribute to increased food security and incomes for small-scale producers and traders. One of the core objectives of the project is to attract investments in the cassava value chain both in production and processing.
Applicants are invited from suitably qualified Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who are willing to engage in cassava value addition as a business. Farm Concern International (FCI), a highly specialized Africa-wide Agri-Market Development Agency, with funding from Food Agriculture Organization of United Nations has been subcontracted to implement the ‘Strengthening linkages between small actors and buyers in the Roots and Tubers sector in Africa project in Malawi focusing on cassava production and processing. The project’s overall objective is to contribute to increased food security and incomes for small-scale producers and traders. One of the core objectives of the project is to attract investments in the cassava value chain both in production and processing.
This Expression of Interest is for SMEs who will invest in processing of High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF) and other cassava based products for the market. Experience has revealed that cassava processing can be a viable business, depending on the business skills of involved processors. Those who will invest in the cassava processing business will receive training in production, quality control and management, marketing, support with the establishment of relationships with raw material suppliers (cassava farmers), exchange visits to other processors and mentoring. The project will also support investors with business plan development and facilitate linkages to available matching grants and/or projects that provide processing equipment. The SME should have the following qualifications;
Qualification and Requirements:
- Ability to read and write, good numerical skills
- Has a registered business and own/rent business premises
- Should be based in a cassava growing area and know potential of cassava production
- Should have a minimum one year experience in running a small business and preferably hasa running business
- Should be willing to invest in cassava processing technologies and plant within a period of three months after the selection
- Should be willing to lead the development of cassava as a business in the area, through active establishment of relationship with cassava producers around the district(s) of operation.
Should you require more information on the profitability of the cassava enterprise, please contact Vincent Kaitano on 0995 509 798 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The interested entrepreneurs should send their application letter including business registration certificate, contacts (location, phone number, postal and/ or email address) and a description of the current enterprise. This should be sent to the Malawi Country Team Leader, Farm Concern International, P.O. Box 2394, Blantyre or email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by hand delivery to FCI Lilongwe Offices along Mazengera Road in Area 47 sector 4, plot number 47/4/861, Opposite FAWEMA Offices by Wednesday 30th November, 2016 by 1700 Hrs.
a). Africa Award for Excellence in Innovations in Agriculture Value chains Support by AFRACA
FCI was recognized for its innovation and creativity in reaching smallholder farmers among African banks, micro‐finance institutions and other service providers by the African and Agricultural Credit Association (AFRACA) in 2013. This was during the AFRACA's “Value chain finance – lessons learnt/exhibition” forum held in Dakar Senegal in November, 2013.
FCI's submission was published by AFRACA in a book that showcases the contribution that African banks, micro-finance institutions and other service providers are making to African development and meeting the Millennium Development Goals by developing innovative tailored financing instruments that link smallholder farmers to the larger economy.
b). Recognition from the Government of Kenya (GoK)
The Kenyan Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture recognized the efforts of FCI in the last decade by awarding a Certificate of Recognition towards FCI's contribution to food security in Kenya during the Word Food Day celebrations in 2012 and 2013 consecutively.
c). Recognition by Uganda National Farmers Federation (UNFFE)
FCI was awarded a Certificate of recognition for the role played in the growth of the Agriculture and Trade sector in Uganda, in 2012. This was during the National Agricultural and Trade Show held at the 20th Source of Nile, whose theme was 'Promoting smart farming for sustainable national food security, farm incomes and regional market opportunities'.
UNFFE is the largest non-governmental farmers' organization in Uganda. The Organization was founded in 1992 by farmers from all over the Country, with the objective of mobilizing the farming community to have one voice under one independent umbrella organization. It started as Uganda National Farmers' Association (UNFA) and changed to a Federation in 2002 to embrace various commodity associations and service providers.
d). Farm Concern International wins The Pro-Poor Innovations Challenge Global Award
FCI was recognized for delivering innovative financial services to very poor clients, FCI was one of the five organizations that were rated as best in pro poor innovations models and methodologies aimed at improving livelihoods of the poor out of the 225 global participants.
The Pro-poor Innovations Challenge is sponsored by the World Bank, as part of the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) initiative. CGAP is a global partnership of 34 leading organizations that seek to advance financial inclusion. CGAP develops innovative solutions through practical research and active engagement with financial service providers, policy makers, and funders to enable approaches at scale.
FCI evolves social African Villages to Commercial Villages and strategically linked to the markets. To trigger commercialization for poor communities lacking a creditworthiness status, FCI has a Trigger Fund; a development credit line that covers commercialization and market access-related expenses while Commercial Villages embark on mandatory savings drawn from sales under the concept of Commercial Village Banking Services. The process enhances bridging the gap between poverty and creditworthiness and eventually graduating poor households to conventional micro-finance institutions who otherwise would not have offered credit to extremely poor households.
Our work is made possible through the contributions made by our partners. Our controls and measures ensure that funds are utilized prudently for the attainment of the intended objectives while maintaining high quality accountability within the International Accounting Standards framework. Integrity and stewardship are virtues we uphold in safeguarding our partners interests as well as those of the smallholder farmers we serve.
Our Team
Farm Concern International workforce comprises of experts and specialists in market research & value chain analysis, marketing, supply chain management, ICT, software development,socio-economics, finance,commercialization, technology engineering, quality management, food processing, product design, advertising, statistics, biometry, enterprise development and value chain specific specialists among other commerce/market-oriented fields. FCI team is largely drawn from the private sector, regional development organizations and experts in the diaspora. FCI has modified the private sector’s sales force to form an efficient and cost-effective frontline trade team of Commercial Villages Trade Facilitators and Market & Trade Facilitators to address the intensity of smallholder commercialization, market linkages and trade facilitation.
Farm Concern International FCI, is a highly specialized Africa-wide Agri-Market Development Agency and a leading strategic direct implementing partner in Africa with a focus on; profitable smallholder commercialization, value chain analysis, market access, trade development and private sector alliances for sustainable rural economic growth. As a Hybrid Organization, FCI has a unique multi-dimensional institutional framework based on a blend of selected best practices from the private sector and screened best-practices from development organizations; this mix forms the fundamental architectural pillars of the FCI’s hybrid identity.
The Commercial Villages Model; developed and upgraded by FCI over a period of 12 years, is an innovative smallholder commercialization business model for market access and villages end-link delivery partnership implementation approach inclusive of a socioeconomic concept. The model has been experientially applied in 8 Countries with 132 partners and currently being rolled out across Africa for scale-up in multiple regional agricultural development initiatives and impact investments. The model has generated statistical evidence on smallholder commercialization and market access as an emerging tested vehicle for enterprise profitability and stabilized incomes.
Subcategories
FCI VISION :Commercialized smallholder communities with increased incomes for improved, stabilized & sustainable livelihoods in Africa and beyond.