FAO seeks Sh8bn support for cassava research in Africa

A farmer displays disease infested cassava. Cassava mosaic and cassava brown streak disease are the two threats that RCI seeks to control. FILE 

By EVELYN SITUMA,

In Summary

• The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) says diseases are threatening food security for millions in the continent.

International organisations are lobbying governments and aid agencies to contribute Sh8.5 billion towards cassava research as diseases threaten food security in Africa.

The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the European Union say the money is urgently needed for developing disease-resistant cassava cuttings.

Experts fear the cassava mosaic disease in East Africa may spread to West Africa, threatening food security for millions who depend on the crop as a staple.

“It has not arrived in West Africa yet but it may.  If it does, it will have a huge impact on the population. We need to roll it back,” said Luca Alinovi, head of FAO sub regional emergency office.

If not addressed, the livehoods of 30 million Africans who rely on the crop are at risk as well as food security for 300 million where the tuber is a staple.

This is why FAO’s regional emergency office for East and Central Africa, with funding from the EU, rolled out the Regional Cassava Initiative (RCI) to support smallholders and prevent further spread of the diseases.

Cassava mosaic and cassava brown streak disease are the two threats that RCI seeks to control. RCI admits that the fight against cassava disease needs continuous effort and funding from both the public and private sector.

“The disease evolves that is why we have to keep up with research too,” said Mr Alinovi.

Since the formation of the initiative, 500,000 people have benefited from the $400 million investment. The farmers reported increased yield, which now stands at 12 tonnes per hectare up from eight tonnes per hectare. But experts warn the improvement is not substantial.

“It’s still a drop in the ocean,” said Mr Alinovi. Asia has attained 20 tonnes per hectare.

FAO and EU are urging countries to shift from subsistence cassava farming to commercial farming. However, low demand stands in the way.

According to Dominique Davoux from the EU delegation in Kenya, sustainable farming on the crop should be pulled by the market to avoid dependency on subsidies and to grow rural economies.

Nigeria and Brazil have already commercialised cassava farming. Blending cassava with other flour is one of the ways to increase market demand.

Cassava, RCI advises, is the answer to not only food security but also to lessening the burden caused by cereal price inflation. Africa produces 60 per cent of global cassava output. Nigeria is the largest producer in the world.

Others producers outside the continent are Brazil and Thailand. The call by FAO and EU is a follow up to a regional event held earlier in the week in Nairobi.