From Feb 14 to 16, 2013, Tanzania hosted the launch of Disease Diagnostics for Sustainable Cassava Productivity in Africa project. The event brought together 70 scientists and stakeholders from eight countries in Africa namely: the host Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia with partners from the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK). Our reporter Gerald Kitabu who attended the meeting sheds light on the measures being taken to address the problem and increase cassava productivity.
Cassava, a widely known and grown staple food in many parts of Tanzania, Africa and other parts of the world, has come under severe attack. This time around, it is not about climate change, but rather several biotic and abiotic factors, among which cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) constitute the main threat to cassava productivity. CMD is caused by cassava mosaic begomoviruses (CMBGs) where as CBSD is caused by cassava brown streak virus (CBSV).
In Tanzania for example, cassava is an important crop for both food security and income generation for low income people. In coast region, cassava is one of the main food crops. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives, the annual production of fresh cassava is seven million metric tonnes. In sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia cassava is a staple food and is eaten by over seven hundred million people. However, two thirds of more than 18 million ha, of cassava cultivated worldwide are produced in Africa. Cassava has potential for industrial use in production of starch and bio fuel. The cassava leaves are also used for food in many communities in Africa including Tanzania. Continue reading
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