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Published on
25.08.25
Rwanda’s livestock farmers are grappling with rising feed costs, particularly maize-based ingredients, which now sell for around 400-600 Rwf (USD 0.28-0.41) per kilogram. In contrast, High-Quality Cassava Peel (HQCP) mash, produced from processed cassava peels, costs only 200-250 Rwf (USD 0.14-0.17) per kilogram, yet delivers the same nutritional value as maize in feed formulation.
To address gaps in livestock feed production in Rwanda, IITA–CGIAR has been promoting High Quality Cassava Peels (HQCP) technology as a cost-effective and sustainable feed ingredient through ongoing efforts to scale innovation in sub-Saharan Africa.
The technology was introduced under the Rural-Urban Nexus (RUNRES) project, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), as part of efforts to reduce reliance on maize for livestock feed, thereby freeing up maize for human consumption and lowering feed imports.
“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).