Garri Production Line: Powering Local Food Systems in West and Central Africa

08/08/2025

1. 🌿 Project Summary: What Is Garri?

Garri is a granular flour made from fermented, roasted cassava, widely consumed with hot water, milk, soup, or as a porridge. It is affordable, non-perishable, and has become a ready-to-cook alternative for both rural and urban populations.

2. 🏭 Output

  • Primary Output: Garri (white or yellow depending on palm oil addition)

  • Processing Capacity: 1 to 5 tons per day (scalable)

  • By-products: Peels and pressed water (used in animal feed or compost)

3. 🥘 Final Products

  • Instant garri for drinking or cooking

  • Fortified garri (with soy or vitamins)

  • Garri mixed with spices or milk powder (retail-ready variants)

4. ⚙️ Key Machinery & Equipment

  • Cassava Grater – pulps the peeled tubers

  • Hydraulic Press – removes moisture from the mash

  • Fermentation Tanks – traditional or stainless steel

  • Garri Fryer/Roaster – manually or gas/electric powered

  • Sieve – to standardize granule size

  • Packaging Machine – from sachet to 50kg industrial bags

5. 📈 Market Opportunity & Demand

  • Urbanization is driving demand for pre-packaged, clean, ready-to-eat garri

  • Imports of processed food are rising—garri offers a local alternative

  • Garri's shelf life makes it perfect for food aid and public procurement

  • Rising price of rice increases reliance on cassava-based alternatives

According to ECOWAS estimates, over 70% of cassava processed in Nigeria alone goes into garri, indicating a massive domestic market.

6. 💰 Financial Indicators (Small–Medium Plant)

Indicator Estimate
Initial Investment (CAPEX) $10,000 – $45,000
Processing Capacity 1–3 tons/day
Monthly Operating Costs $2,000 – $6,000
Average Profit Margin 30% – 50%
Breakeven Period 12–18 months
ROI (3-year horizon) 180% – 250%
Direct Jobs Created 10–20 (plant-level)
Retail Garri Price (1kg) $0.80 – $1.20 (depending on quality/packaging)

Estimates vary by country, energy source, labor costs, and scale.

7. 🌍 Local Development Impact

✅ Empowers women's cooperatives and farmer groups
✅ Reduces post-harvest cassava losses
✅ Increases income generation in rural areas
✅ Enhances food security and self-reliance
✅ Integrates with other cassava processing lines (e.g., flour, starch, animal feed)

8. 🧭 Why Now?

✔️ Garri demand is growing across urban Africa and diaspora communities
✔️ Processing tech is now affordable and mobile
✔️ Climate-resilient cassava can anchor rural economies
✔️ Government programs support agro-industrialization and youth employment

9. 🤝 How Projet Assistance Can Help

At Projet Assistance, we offer end-to-end support in:

  • Structuring Garri processing units for cooperatives & SMEs

  • Connecting to equipment suppliers and technical partners

  • Sourcing finance, grant support, or international JV partners

  • Franchising and regional scaling for successful operations

  • Quality certification, packaging, and export development

📩 Ready to launch or expand your Garri production?

Let's transform cassava into prosperity.
📧 Contact us at: youta@projet-assistance.com
🌐 Projet Assistance – Empowering Agro-Industrial Africa

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