IITA-CGIAR expands cassava peel feed technology in Rwanda to cut livestock costs

RWANDA – The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres (CGIAR) have expanded the use of High-Quality Cassava Peel (HQCP) feed technology in Rwanda, offering livestock farmers a cheaper alternative to costly maize feed.

HQCP, produced from processed cassava peels, costs only 200 to 250 Rwandan francs (USD 0.14–0.17) per kilogram. This is less than half the cost of maize-based feed, which currently sells for 400 to 600 Rwandan francs (USD 0.28–0.41) per kilogram.

Researchers say the mash matches maize in nutritional value and provides relief to farmers facing rising production costs.

“Producing animal feed from cassava peels will cut the amount of cereals previously imported for mixing with other feeds. This will increase income for farmers and livestock keepers, especially since imported feed is expensive, and often in short supply,” said Jules Mutabazi, researcher at the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB).

The technology, first tested under the Rural-Urban Nexus (RUNRES) project funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, is now being adopted more widely by cassava and animal feed entrepreneurs.

By recycling peels into feed for cattle, goats, pigs, and poultry, HQCP reduces reliance on imported maize while freeing more of it for human consumption.

Training farmers and entrepreneurs

From August 5 to 6, IITA, through its Gwiza-Muhinzi project and RUNRES, held a two-day training in Rwanda on HQCP processing.

The workshop brought together 35 cassava and feed entrepreneurs, who received step-by-step guidance on sorting, milling, drying, and storing cassava peels for feed production.

“Wasting cassava peels is like throwing money away. By processing those peels into HQCP feed, we create value from waste, address the rising cost of livestock feed, and reduce environmental impact. This is a win-win for farmers, processors, and the planet,” said Dr. Iheanacho Okike, Scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).

For some participants, the training shaped concrete business ideas. “I already had this project in mind, but it gave me even further clarity. I may not start with a large factory, but I can begin with a small or medium-scale unit that processes cassava while ensuring no residue is wasted,” said Jean Claude Munyaneza Kabayiza, CEO of Holly Agriculture Company in Rwanda’s Eastern Province.

Others welcomed the immediate economic relief. “This cassava peel flour is helping us reduce the cost of animal feed. It is cheaper than the maize feed we normally buy, and it still has the high quality and nutrients our livestock need,” said Noella Umutoni, an animal feed entrepreneur from Bugesera District.

By turning cassava waste into feed, HQCP technology is reducing pressure on maize supplies, cutting costs for livestock farmers, and creating new agribusiness opportunities.

The approach also supports Rwanda’s food security agenda by making both animal feed and staple grains more available.

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