Apr 8 (edited) • ❓ Questions & Answers
Trying to Build a Cassava Business with Just a Vision and Action
Hi, I’m Tiapo Raph Lenin from Cameroon. I started Agrivalue Global with one goal: to turn nature's gift cassava into an opportunity - for women, youth, and the future of Africa.
Cassava is a root crop that can be made into flour, starch, animal feed, even biodegradable packaging. Most people here still treat it like a basic food item. I saw something more.
Where I live, many young people risk everything trying to leave - crossing deserts or oceans in search of a better life. I chose a different path. I started small, training over 25 women and young people to farm and process cassava. We're working with basic tools, doing what we can. But right now, we’re stuck.
We’ve got land. We’ve got the people. We’ve got demand. What we don’t have is proper equipment, funding, or access to bigger markets. We know the opportunity is real—we just can’t unlock it yet.
Here’s what we’re working with so far:
1. One hectare farmed, with plans to reach 10
2. 15–20 tons of cassava yield per hectare
3. Cassava starch sells for 600–1,200 FCFA/kg
Here’s the model we’re building: → Grow and buy cassava from local farmers → Process it into high-demand products like starch, flour, gari → Sell to bakeries, breweries, feed companies, and exporters → Train and employ youth and women to multiply the impact
Right now, our team is small. Myself, an agronomist, local workers, and trained women and youth. With the right tools, this could scale from helping 30 people today to 300+ in just a few years. Our long-term goal is to give jobs that support 1,000+ farmers and help people across the region.
We’re not asking for handouts. We’re looking for real partners, people who believe in what we are building. What we need now is funding, mentorship, and connections to help us reach new markets. Our estimated need is $250,000 to cover machinery, packaging, facility upgrades, and working capital for operations and training.
I’d love your thoughts on this:
- What do you think is the most important step for scaling a business like this?
- How can we access bigger markets for cassava products and build the right connections?
- What resources or partnerships would you recommend to help us get there?
If you’re involved in agribusiness, impact investing, or know someone who is - let’s talk! :)
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Trying to Build a Cassava Business with Just a Vision and Action
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