By Ephrem Murindabigwi
Cassava peels were tossed aside as worthless scraps—piling up around factories, rotting in households, and polluting the environment. Today, a quiet revolution is reshaping that narrative in various nations including Rwanda. In Rwanda’s Kamonyi District, farmers and processors are proving that what was once agricultural waste can now generate income, nourishing livestock and creating jobs.
Across Africa, scientists and innovators are taking this further—turning cassava peels into safe animal feed, clean biofuels, and even environmentally friendly industrial products. This transformation represents more than an agricultural success story; it constitutes a model of how waste can be reimagined into wealth, advancing food security, sustainability, and economic opportunity all at once.
The peels gain new value in Rwanda
Cassava crop farmers and others involved in the cassava crop value chain— recently trained on how this crop’s peels can be converted into animal feed— say that these peels will no longer be considered waste as they used to be. These cassava crop-farming stakeholders explain that the peels now constitute a valuable resource.
The farmers have recently said this, after visiting a factory— processing cassava into flour in Kamonyi District— called Nyamiyaga Akanoze. This factory has also started processing cassava peels into animal feed, with one kilogram selling for about 250 Rwandan francs (RWF).
These cassava farmers, who are also cassava seed multipliers, say that they used to just sell its stems to other farmers and sell cassava tuberous roots to cassava-processing factories. They however highlight that they would throw away the peels because they did not know these could bring income.
The same was happening in some cassava-processing factories, as they would discard the peels because they couldn’t use them for anything, leaving waste to accumulate on their peripheries. This used to also occur in households where people simply waited for peels to rot and turn into a fertilizer which was not even improved.
The farmers and those connected with the cassava crop value chain have thus attended the training, to learn how cassava peels can be exploited as a valuable asset rather than discarded as waste.
Justine Mucyo, an employee of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) working on the RUNRES project, says that they first researched nutrients in cassava peels and their effects on animal health. She contends that they’ve found the nutrients to be so rich that, starting in 2023, they began popularizing it. “In partnership with the Akanoze factory, we’ve conducted research and discovered that cassava peels contain a lot of nutrients for livestock. We have tested it so that those wishing to nourish the cassava peel feed to their livestock don’t have to be worried.”
According to Alice Nyirasagamba—the founder and leader of Nyamiyaga Akanoze, the factory buys cassava peels at 10 RWF per kilogram, and 100 kilograms of raw peels can generate 25 kilograms of livestock feed. She explains that producing this livestock feed has created jobs to tens of employees engaged in cassava peel processing and supports her work in flour production. She also highlights that it has increased her factory’s income-generating capacity. “Upon starting, I only produced Akanoze flour, but now livestock feed has been added; you understand that profit has risen. I have provided jobs for 50 people, and livestock is getting nutritious feed.”
Jean Claude Munyaneza Kabayiza is a farmer multiplying cassava seeds in the Eastern Province and belongs to the cooperative, Holly Agriculture. He says that the fact that a farmer can produce livestock feed from cassava peels constitutes an important step in cassava value addition. He adds that he is going to found a micro-factory, to make this feed. “I already carried an idea to establish a livestock feed factory, and this training has motivated me to instantaneously implement it, starting a modest-scale factory with a few means at my disposal.”
The Head of the Agriculture Unit in Kamonyi District, Justin Mukiza, says that farmers in the district cultivate at least 7,000 hectares of cassava per year. He explains that almost everything derived from cassava already bears economic value, and that exploiting cassava peels forms an additional significant advantage. “The cassava in its entirety is consumed: from the leaves to the roots. The cassava stems are also sold, and now the peels are going to be bought.”
“Cassava peels are rich but highly unexplored and underutilized”
Those are words featured in the study “Characterization and Emulsifying Ability of Cassava Peels Solubilized Using Hydrothermal Treatments”. It features on MDPI—Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, a Swiss-based open-access publisher that publishes a wide range of peer-reviewed academic journals. It was conducted by three scholars connected with the University of Tsukuba, in Japan, considered one of the best higher learning institutions in the world. The study was submitted to MDPI on 18 December 2024 and published on 13 February 2025.
Cassava processing across Africa generates millions of tons of peels every year, most of which are discarded through dumping or burning, creating serious environmental hazards. Yet these peels, often treated as waste, hold immense potential as a nutritious and profitable feed resource for livestock and fish if properly processed.
The International Livestock Research Institute, ILRI, published an article titled “High-quality cassava peel mash technology: Global reach, dissemination, and adoption beyond Africa” on 9 September 2025. It reads “Cassava is a staple crop grown in many parts of the world, especially Africa. Unfortunately, the peels produced during processing are frequently thrown away, adding to pollution in the environment. At the same time, quality feed for livestock is in short supply in many regions of Africa. The high-quality cassava peel (HQCP) mash technology tackles the problems of both waste management and feed scarcity by transforming cassava peels into profitable animal feed.”
IITA states “Processing of cassava roots into food or starch products leaves behind large amounts of peels that create environmental hazards in many African communities because of uncontrolled dumping and burning.
Usually on 1 ton of fresh cassava roots you get 0.2-0.3 ton of peels, with a total of 40 million metric ton peels being generated annually in Sub-Saharan Africa. Cassava peels can make an excellent feed and fiber source for rearing livestock and fish but are generally not marketed at their potential prices because of drying constraints, possible aflatoxin contamination and poor storability of feed products in the case of traditional methods.”
The study on MDPI points out “Cassava peels are rich in polysaccharides but highly unexplored and underutilized, as they could be used to meet the increasing demand for clean-label foods. Food wastes, including agricultural by-products, present a significant global challenge with economic, environmental, and social implications. In 2023, the United States alone generated 60.3 billion kg of food waste, whereas Japan discards approximately 18 billion kg annually, equivalent to 40% of its national food production.”
It adds “ Developed countries produce more food waste than developing nations. Among the various types of food waste, cassava processing generates substantial amounts of peel, often discarded and underutilized. Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a staple crop in several tropical and subtropical regions. Global cassava production reached 30.3 billion kg in 2020, with Nigeria being the largest producer.
Cassava peel, which constitutes approximately 15–20% of the root weight, is rich in starch (50–70% dry weight) and dietary fiber (10–30% dry weight) and is a potentially valuable resource. However, these peels are often considered waste contributing to environmental pollution when not properly managed. Cassava peels, rich in starch and cellulose polymers, are an abundant source of natural polysaccharides that can be modified for various applications through controlled depolymerization.”
Cassava peels can be transformed into clean fuels and other energy products. Science Direct published the study “From cassava peel (Manihot esculenta) to hydrocarbon-rich bio-oil: Catalytic flash pyrolysis as a new valorization route” in November 2024. This study explains “The valorization of agroindustrial residues for second-generation biofuels has garnered attention due to the increasing demand for low-carbon fuels aligned with transportation sector decarbonization efforts.
In this context, cassava processing residues, particularly cassava peel, remain largely unexplored but offer a cheap, abundant, and renewable feedstock that can be converted into hydrocarbon-rich biofuel. Cassava peel, an abundant by-product with no commercial value, comprises starch, cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin and could be utilized as nonedible feedstock to be converted into a renewable hydrocarbon platform, a precursor for drop-in biofuels.”
Innovative cassava peel processing in Africa
IITA says “Simple equipment can be used to mechanize the conversion of cassava peels into animal feeds, which make large reductions in labor costs and drying times, shelf-lives. In this way, it is possible for smallholder farmers and agri-food manufacturers to push up the value of peels from their cassava crops and overcome scarcity of nutritious animal feeds. Scaling mechanized processing of cassava peels into wet cakes and dry mashes also presents many opportunities for job creation and business development in rural parts of Africa.”
Innovative low-tech solutions are transforming the way cassava peels are processed in rural Africa, making it possible to turn what once formed waste into valuable animal feed, according to IITA. It explains that with simple mechanized tools, farmers can now dry peels in hours instead of days, even in areas with poor infrastructure and limited electricity. “Low-tech approaches for processing wet cassava peels into safe and hygienic animal feed sources have been developed that can be powered by small generators and carried out in small-scale farming communities with limited road connectivity and electrification.
Using mechanized graters and presses, the setups makes it possible to remove five hundred liters of water from a ton of fresh peels in just 30 minutes, and reduce the drying time of peels to 6-8 hours instead of 2-3 days for traditional methods.”
IITA emphasizes that converting cassava peels into animal feed is not only an environmental solution but also a profitable opportunity for farmers and processors “The major savings in labor and time achieved through simple equipment allow for large volumes of cassava peels to be processed into animal feed production at high levels of cost-effectiveness. With this technology harmful substances like cyanides and aflatoxins do not accumulate in the final wet cake or dry mash product, thus safeguarding the health of animals and consumers of their produce in the food chain.
Farmers and processors can organize timely and low-cost supply of cassava peels through data applications like ‘Peel Tracker’; a virtual market place in which the location, quality and amount of resources can be shared. Animal feed production from cassava peels creates additional sources of income for farmers growing the crop, and brings down prices of feed ingredients for manufacturers and livestock owners, while avoiding environmental pollution by dumping or burning of the waste.”
IITA recommends the following steps for commercializing cassava peel processing. To commercialize cassava peel processing, farmers and processors first need to be made aware of the benefits of turning peeling waste into animal feed. It is equally important to determine processing equipment that suits the available labor force and the volumes to be handled. Once this is set up, clear operational protocols and business plans can guide both production and marketing of the feed products. Finally, identifying peel sources at local levels will help to ensure that processors have reliable information on the quantities available to supply their facilities.
The study on MDPI emphasizes the importance of processing cassava peels with various methods to mitigate health risks and unlock their potential for multiple applications. “Hydrothermal treatment is crucial in detoxifying cassava peels containing cyanogenic glycosides that can be harmful if consumed directly. Olafadehan et al. demonstrated that processing methods, including hydrothermal treatment, could effectively reduce hydrogen cyanide concentrations in cassava peels. According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the safety limit for cyanide in cassava products is 2–10 mg/kg. This detoxification process is essential for utilizing cassava peels in livestock feed because untreated peels can pose health risks owing to their cyanogenic content.
Moreover, the hydrothermal carbonization of cassava peel has been explored as a method for producing hydrochar. This is a carbon-rich material that can be used as a soil amendment or adsorbent for water treatment applications. Pratiwi et al. successfully synthesized hydrochar from cassava peel using hydrothermal carbonization, demonstrating its potential as a hard-water softener. This dual application of cassava peel, both as feedstock for bioenergy and as a material for environmental remediation, highlights the versatility of hydrothermal treatment in waste valorization, which aligns with the principles of circular economy and biorefinery concepts, potentially transforming cassava waste into valuable products.”
Cassava peels naturally contain substances that can be harmful, if eaten directly. Those substances include cyanide— among others— which is highly concentrated in bitter cassava roots and also present in the peels of both sweet and bitter roots, and are toxic or poisonous, if not properly processed.
Hydrothermal treatment is basically a way of using heat and water (like steaming or boiling) to remove these harmful substances, making the peels safe. Studies show that after this process, the cyanide content drops to safe levels for animals.
Hydrothermal carbonization is a process that turns wet organic waste/biomass—like food scraps, crop residues, or sewage—into a solid, coal-like material called hydrochar. By heating the waste in water under high pressure, HTC mimics the natural process of coal formation, but much faster, producing a useful product that can enrich soil or clean water. The undated piece of writing titled “Hydrothermal Carbonization” reads “Hydrothermal carbonization is defined as a thermochemical conversion process that transforms wet biomass into a carbonized structure through controlled temperature (180 to 250°C) in an aqueous medium, utilizing water as a solvent in a low-energy, closed vessel system.”
As also highlighted by the study on MDPI, the peels can also be converted into a carbon-rich material called hydrochar which can improve soil or clean water. This signifies that when added to soil, hydrochar acts as a natural fertilizer, improving soil quality by increasing nutrients and organic matter. Hydrochar also helps the soil to retain water better and enhances its structure, which makes it easier for plants to grow. In this way, what was once agricultural waste can be transformed into a useful product that benefits both farmers and the environment.
Hydrochar can also be used to clean water, because its porous structure acts like a sponge, trapping impurities, toxins, and chemicals, making the water safer for use. “The spread of heavy metals throughout the ecosystem has extremely endangered human health, animals, plants, and natural resources.
Hydrochar has emerged as a promising adsorbent for removal of heavy metals from water and wastewater. Hydrochar, obtained from hydrothermal carbonization of biomass, owns unique physical and chemical properties that are highly potent in capturing heavy metals,” states the abstract of this ten-author article “Hydrochar as a bio-based adsorbent for heavy metals removal: A review of production processes, adsorption mechanisms, kinetic models, regeneration and reusability” published by PMC (PubMed Central) in 2024. PMC constitutes the free digital repository of biomedical literature managed by the U.S. National Library of Medicine [NLM]. NLM forms part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
So, cassava peels, once considered waste, can be transformed into a valuable product that benefits both farmers and the environment, as also underlined by the ILRI. The latter one indicates that the exploitation of cassava peels is gaining traction in Africa. “Environmental benefits: in adopting regions, the decrease in discarded cassava peel waste has resulted in a notable reduction in environmental pollutants as cassava processors sell their fresh peels to HQCP processors.
What next? The HQCP mash technology has been shown to have significant promise in improving the supply of animal feed and managing agricultural waste. Although Nigeria and other African nations have embraced the technology, more work must be done to scale and spread the technology internationally. To guarantee sustainable implementation and maximum impact, this will require focused training, strong collaborations, and supporting policies.”
The HQCP mash technology is a method of turning cassava peels into a soft, fine, and uniform mixture/soft mass called mash. It is called a mash because the peels are essentially mashed or crushed into a soft mass, rendering them easier for livestock to eat and digest while also reducing agricultural waste.
The ILRI adds “Nigeria, and now other African nations have benefited greatly from the use of this breakthrough technology. In Nigeria, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) country office has been carrying out intensive training and advocacy efforts which have led to the listing of HQCP mash as a feed ingredient by the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science.”
Transfer of technology in Nigeria and other African countries. Interest has increased throughout Africa because of Nigeria’s success, with noteworthy developments in several nations. Private companies and government representatives (Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Rwanda, Senegal, Tonga, Uganda, United Arab Emirates and Vanuatu) have engaged ILRI Nigeria on HQCP technology. Approximately 80% of the inquiries originate from other African countries, while the remainder come from outside. Around 18% of inquiries from within Africa have led to training on the technology.”