HOW TO SUPPORT THE LINKAGE BETWEEN CASSAVA FARMERS AND PROCESSORS - CASE STUDY: CASSAVA VALUE CHAIN IN PHONG MY - PHONG DIEN - THUA THIEN HUE AND A XING - HUONG HOA - QUANG TRI, VIETNAM

Abstract

Agricultural production in general and cassava production in particular has played an important role in livelihood and poverty reduction in the provinces of Thua Thien Hue and Quang Tri. In recent years, as starch factories were established in both provinces, there has been advantageous condition to promote cassava production on both cultivated area and yield. In reality, cassava has become an important crop, and cassava production has changed from small scale into material production for starch processing. The research is a case study of cassava value chain in Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue. This research aims to analyze the cassava value chain, linkage among the main actors, constraints and factors which influence the linkage between the cassava farmers and the starch factory. The study analyzed the linkage between the cassava farmers and the starch factories as well as identified the options to strengthen this linkage. The research result on analysis of cassava value chain in the two study sites showed that the close linkage in the cassava value chain leads to higher effect on the actors, especially the farmer and the factory, the reduction of risk in cassava production and consumption. For instance, profit of the farmers who have close linkage with the factory is higher (38.14%) than profit of the farmers who do not have linkage with the processing factory. Furthermore, the study result shows that the scale of cassava production, the linkage among the farmers, and supporting policy of the factory and local authorities have a vital role in strengthening the linkage between the cassava farmers and the starch processing factory. The paper also proposes some solutions for strengthening the linkage between the farmer and processor in the same regions, including: 1) Establishment of farmer group in cassava production and consumption. 2) Introduction to purchasing policy to support and create advantage condition for farmers in transaction with the starch processing factory. 3) Planning cassava area and projecting  seasonal calendar suitable for processing capacity and climate condition.

Keywords: value chain, linkage, Huong Hoa District, Phong Dien District.