This clear foundation is what UNBS and UNEP has had during its last meeting two months ago. During this meeting, they both shared on the initial feedback from ground users, on operationalisation of the market incentives guide. And based on this feedback, it was concluded with a number of resolutions to ensure momentum was gathered, for even more progress. This publication takes stock of this performance and refine actions for more progress.

What was gathered in the last meeting, was taking stock of the initial engagement with ground actors, and the feedback from a multiplicity of actors was resoundingly positive. From farmers to research organisations where the Mukono ZARDI was engaged, and on to policy makers, where ground developments were reported back to the cabinet of the Buganda Kingdom, this engagement to climate proof and maximise productivity of Uganda cassava value chain for accelerated, climate-resilient growth generated keen interest from many.

Since September 2019, there have been an inaugural exhibition of cassava value addition graced by the King of the Buganda Kingdom. There has been lessons from Uganda ground actors which were extended to the neigh­bouring Kenya and to Nigeria, Togo and Ghana among others in the West of Africa, who were learning from what was done in Buganda kingdom. The progress reported in September 2019, provided the impetus and momentum for more demonstrable progress and need to build on this collective progress for even more progress.UNBS is divesting from silos to leverage an integrated application of standards to unlock multiple benefits. The fact that the market incentives guide covers the entire value chain – from on farm, to value addition and connec­tion to markets has proved to be a critical strength, in enhancing usability of standards. While most users need the standards to validate a product, the process of making this product calls for a number of interrelated actions – most of which will need to be certified as well. Through the guide, users get to see at a glance, all the different certifications that they need – saving them time and facilitating their efficient decision-making.

In east Africa alone, with Uganda included up to 2.8 million people have been affected by climate change. Floods are now becoming the new normal and cost the east Africa region with Uganda included $200 million dollars with Uganda included in the last two years. One of the notable lost is in the food systems where we are seeing bumper harvest been lost for lack of preservation. There has been ground engagement with solar driers which is an acces­sible technology can be made affordable and do wonders for our people on the ground under this changing climate.These dryers are not only efficient at drying under wet conditions compared to alternatives, but they are also an opportunity to engage our youth to work and put more money in more pockets. This is niche for UNBS and our engagement on the ground has refined this trajectory.

The trajectory builds on the resolutions that were reached during the September meeting, over which the following follow ups were made. First, it was resolved that ground action would continue so that it could continuously refine feedback from stakeholders and use these refined results to enhance further application of the UNBS codes. The decentralisation of solar dryers to power preservation and primary processing of cassava into varied products was the key ground action to build on. Accordingly, ground actions proved that use of solar dryers is up to 48times faster at drying raw cassava to the recommended moisture content of 12% or less, which is critical to making high quality cassava flour. Unlike open sun-drying, use of the solar dryer does the job of drying faster, more efficiently and hygienically as produce is not soiled by dust, animal droppings and other debris that is a challenge with open sun drying. The result being a quality dried product that fetches more in the market. But these dryers being capital assets, affordability remains a challenge. Here two interventions were tested and these need to be applied together. First, fabricating the dryers using locally available material and leveraging locally available manpower was key to cutting costs. As an individual farmer, financing solar dryers with the incomes made at the market level, may seem impossible. But not so if they act collectively and pool their resources. This is where cooperatives, who’s structure is well established across Africa, including in Uganda comes in.

Cassava farmers will need to mobilise themselves and pool their resources, so they are supported to get the solar dryers needed. These can be used communally to further lower risks. With the dryers, earnings will be improved, PHLs cut and more income opportunities created for those who fabricate the dryers. This is the approach being established and already, notable micro-finance institutions are being engaged to establish this Innovative Financ­ing structure for cassava farmers hence the importance of having a structure to support the financing the solar dryers. It is critical to enhance credibility of this guide among stakeholders as they will be sure, that what they are applying is actually sanctioned by UNBS.

The third resolution was strategic – where it was agreed that the strategy being developed as part of the UNBS’s 30th anniversary commemoration, captures the market incentives guide as the benchmark for implementing agro-value chain sustainability codes.

Read more from the attached publication.

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