Cassava varieties with high dry matter and starch content

Enhancing cassava yields and quality for greater food security in Africa.

Cassava varieties with higher dry matter and starch content in their roots, significantly impacting their value for farmers. This addresses the limited availability of suitable varieties in Sub-Saharan Africa, leading to better economic yields and increased food security. Through selective breeding and resistance to pests and diseases, we've created cassava with 40% to 45% dry matter and 80% to 95% starch. These improved roots can be used fresh or processed into high-quality flour or starch, serving as crucial ingredients in various industries. This technology not only benefits small-scale farmers but also provides a cost-effective source of essential ingredients for commercial agri-businesses.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

8•8

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 8/9; level of use 8/9

Cost: $$$

ROI: $$$

35 ton/ha

potential yield

40 - 45 %

dry mater content

80 - 95 %

starch content

IP

Plant variety protection

Problem

Low Dry Matter and Starch Content: Traditional cassava varieties often have low dry matter and starch content, reducing their economic value and utility in food and industrial applications.
Limited Variety Options: Farmers have limited access to high-quality cassava varieties, which restricts their ability to improve crop yields and quality.
Poor Economic Yields: Due to the low quality of roots, farmers struggle to achieve higher economic returns from their cassava crops.
Food Security Issues: Low yields and poor-quality crops contribute to food insecurity in many regions.

Solution

Higher Dry Matter and Starch Content: Improves root quality for fresh consumption and industrial processing. Ideal for producing flour, starch, and other industrial products, supporting local agri-businesses.
Increased Economic Yields: Better quality and higher yield of cassava roots lead to higher economic returns for farmers.
Adaptability: Bred to be resistant to pests, diseases, and adverse growing conditions, making them suitable for various environments.
Food Security Improvement: Provides more nutritious and higher-yielding crops, contributing to food security.

Key points to design your business plan

This technology is beneficial for Seed multiplier and users (Aggregator, farmers)

For Seed multiplier

Producing cassava varieties with high dry matter and starch content, offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution. This addresses economic empowerment, gender equality, and climate resilience in agriculture, empowering diverse farming communities and contributing to enhanced global health and wellbeing.

To efficiently multiply these cassava varieties, it's essential to know that most of the cassava varieties with high dry matter and starch content that are released in Sub-Saharan Africa are royalty-free for multiplication and sales by farmers but does require certification following national compliance for seed systems. Hybrid cassava varieties with improved root quality are marketed under a commercial license.

Potential customers for these high-quality cassava seeds include farmers, development projects, government agencies, and NGOs.

For users

Using cassava varieties with high dry matter and starch content, provides a solution that fosters economic empowerment and enhances the health and well-being of diverse farming communities.

As key partners, you need a multiplier of cassava varieties with high dry matter and starch content.

To assess the profitability of using these improved cassava varieties, you need to estimate the profit realized with the product, taking into account the overall cost structure and potential yields.

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

The poor: Positive medium

Under 18: Positive low

Women: Positive high

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: No impact on biodiversity

Soil quality: Does not affect soil health and fertility

Water use: Same amount of water used

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested

Countries where the technology has been tested and adopted
Country	Tested	Adopted
Benin	Tested	Adopted
Côte d’Ivoire	Tested	Adopted
Nigeria	Tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 1: no poverty

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 3: good health and well-being

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Variety Selection: Choose the enhanced cassava variety suitable for your specific conditions and context in the value chain.
Acquire Planting Material: Purchase high-quality planting material from reputable seed companies for initial planting.
Planting and Cultivation: Use the acquired planting material to establish your cassava crop. Ensure the planting materials are free of disease symptoms when transferred to the field.
Planting Technique: Depending on rainfall conditions, plant cuttings horizontally in dry climates and vertically or angularly in humid areas with high precipitation. Cover them entirely with soil.
Soil and Fertilizer Management: Adhere to recommended soil and fertilizer management practices for your specific growing area and conditions to achieve high root yields.
Monitoring and Maintenance: Keep an eye on the cassava crop for signs of pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies. Address these issues promptly to maintain healthy growth.
Harvesting: Harvest the cassava roots once they have reached the desired maturity and size, typically around 8-12 months after planting.
Post-Harvest Handling: Handle the harvested roots with care to avoid damage. Store them in a cool, dry place to prevent spoilage.
Processing (Optional): If needed, process the roots into flour or starch for various applications in food, pharmaceuticals, packaging, or industrial products.
Seed Management (Optional): If you're interested in multiplying the improved varieties, follow recommended seed management practices for certification and compliance.
Market Linkages (Optional): Establish connections between seed suppliers, cassava growers, food processors, and consumer groups to create demand for cassava-based products.