AG R I C U LT U R E & RURAL DEVELOPMENT JOINTNOTES ISSUE 61 JUNE 2012 Lessons from Scaling Up 69571 Recycling Cassava Waste – a Triple Win for Development A Case Study From Nigeria The new “Lessons from Practice: Assessing Scalability� report aims to provide specific tools and guidance to World Bank Task Team Leaders (TTLs) and other agricultural development specialists which can assist them in identifying the potential for scaling up small, innovative projects throughout the entire project cycle – from inception through completion. The report, developed in collaboration with the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, draws on lessons from the experience of the Development Marketplace (DM) in funding small innovation projects and offers strategic advice to agricultural practitioners on assessing the scalability of such projects. This Note is based on a case study in Nigeria from the report. Scaling up effective agricultural interventions is change by increasing the income of poor rural integral to reducing poverty on a global scale. farmers and improving their ability to afford food, Furthermore, effective scaling up requires the health care, and basic household necessities. identification of key lessons and recommendations By introducing the simple technology of a drying which can help identify necessary components for platform to remove harmful arsenic from cassava continuing the effectiveness of these interventions. waste – making it safe for animal consumption – Recognizing these needs, a case study was this project was able to create a new pathway to undertaken in by the World Bank’s Development economic development for both cassava producers Marketplace, in collaboration with the University and goat herders. Through the introduction of this of Agriculture in Abeokuta (UNAAB), to explore the innovative features of a cassava waste intervention being implemented in Nigeria in order to better understand the lessons of scalability being generated by this project. The “Adding Value to Waste in the Cassava Processing-Goat Keeping Systems in Nigeria� project was designed to create new linkages in market value chains through the provision of cassava waste as goat fodder, offering the “triple win� potential of developing new market opportunities, introducing higher-nutritional feed to goat farmers, and reducing harmful effects caused by the traditional practice of burning cassava. The project provides a measureable economic benefit for both cassava processors and goat farmers who earned an average of less than $2 a day. By introducing a dynamic theory of change, developing several key innovations and continuing to address scaling up as an iterative process, this project has not only been effective in addressing the development needs of rural populations in Nigeria, it has also provided key insights into lessons for successful and sustainable scaling up. THEORY OF CHANGE (TOC) One of the most instructive components for scaling up this project offers is a simple Theory of Change A rural farmer in Nigeria bags dried cassava from a drying rack. (TOC) which helped produce economic and social Photo: ARD. new drying technique the project created economic incentives for both producers – who can now earn money Project Lessons for Scaling Up from the previously discarded waste – and goat herders – Simplicity – this project employs simplicity in its innovation who are able to improve the nutritional well being of their and TOC to achieve scalable goals. stock and raise goats in nearly half the time previously Scaling up is an iterative process –continuous adherence required. This TOC helped introduce adequate economic to the scaling up processes resulted in this project increas- incentives required to ensure beneficiary buy-in and long- ing its scale and reach – demonstrating scalability during term project sustainability. initial implementation. Furthermore, by recognizing scaling up as an iterative Behavior change via simple TOC – by implementing a process, the project was able to provide continual simple and focused TOC this project was able to encour- assessments on scaling up – resulting in the expansion age buy-in at the beneficiary level and create sustainable of this innovation to an additional 21 locations throughout economic and environmental improvements. Nigeria and an increase in the number of drying platforms from 24 to 33. This expansion resulted in an upward revision of expected increases in annual incomes for TRIPLE WIN cassava producers of more than 60% – from $384 to $635 Through the incorporation of simple and complimentary (after the initial cost of $165 for the drying platform) – and innovations, the development of a straightforward and led to increased demand from extension agents and the effective Theory of Change and a continued adherence communities they serve. Likewise, goat farmers also to the processes of scaling up, this project was able to benefitted from the introduction of dried cassava as goat improve the rural livelihoods of Nigerian cassava producers fodder, which produced healthier goats in half the time – and goat herders alike. In addition to these economic providing additional annual income of up to $128 that is benefits, this project was also able to provide a “triple now being used to expand their business, buy additional win� through the added value of an environmental gain. goats and improve pens where the goats are kept. The introduction of an economically viable solution for utilizing cassava waste meant that this waste was no INNOVATION longer disposed of in the traditional manner of burning this waste. By creating a disposal mechanism that did In addition to implementing a simple and strategic TOC, not require cassava waste to be burned, this project was the Adding Value to Waste in Cassava Processing-Goat instrumental in completely eliminating emissions of carbon Keeping Systems in Nigeria project provided key insights monoxide in 28 processing centers across Nigeria. for the creation of broader lessons and recommendations on scaling up by highlighting the role simple and CONCLUSION complimentary innovations can play in promoting scaling up goals. This project was comprised of five key The Adding Value to Waste in Cassava Processing-Goat innovations: a simple technology (a drying platform Keeping Systems in Nigeria project was successful in for the cassava peels to be used instead of burning the improving both the economic and environmental landscapes waste), a new product (clean dried cassava peels that in Nigeria. This triple win project was also instrumental can be sold as goat feed), an educational component in illuminating key lessons for scaling up practices. By (a diet prescribed to goat farmers, designed by animal targeting vulnerable populations living at the margins of scientists that utilizes cassava peels and maximizes poverty the additional income created by this intervention the growth rate and health of the goats), access to is able to improve the living conditions of thousands of credit (facilitating micro-credit loans to build the drying families. By showing promise for further scaling up at the national, regional and global levels, this project paves the platforms), and a new market mechanism (linking way for these benefits to reach millions of others. cassava processors and goat keepers). The integration of these innovations provides a pathway for beneficiaries to more easily adopt the necessary elements of change This ARD Note was prepared by John Mackedon, Gunnar Larson, and Kaisa Antikainen under the guidance of Fionna Douglas, with special and adapt to the development mechanisms introduced by thanks to Susan Holcombe and her team at Brandeis University. this intervention. 1818 H Street. NW Washington, DC 20433 www.worldbank.org/ard