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Disease-Resistant Cassava Cuttings for Higher Yields

The "Disease Resistant Cassava Varieties" technology refers to a range of cassava varieties specially selected and developed to resist the viral diseases that hamper cassava production in sub-Saharan Africa, in particular cassava mosaic and cassava brown streak. These cassava varieties have been created to address the major challenges affecting this key crop in the region. The adoption of these disease-resistant varieties offers farmers a sustainable means of protecting their cassava crops, improving yields and enhancing food security in sub-Saharan Africa. What's more, these varieties often display resistance to other common cassava pathogens, promoting integrated crop health management. Breeding and development programs continue to identify new disease-resistant cassava varieties, contributing to the sustainability of cassava production in sub-Saharan Africa.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

7•7

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 7/9; level of use 7/9

Positive or neutral impact

Adults 18 and over: Positive high
The poor: Positive high
Under 18: No impact
Women: Positive high

Positive or neutral impact

Climate adaptability: It adapts really well
Adaptability for farmers: It helps a lot
Biodiversity: It doesn't hurt them
Carbon footprint: It reduces emissions a little
Environment: It makes a little difference
Soil quality: It doesn't harm the soil's health and fertility
Water usage: It uses the same amount of water

Problem

Viral Diseases Impacting Cassava: These diseases damage cassava leaves, reduce photosynthesis, and ultimately lead to significant yield losses and potential crop failure.
Ineffective Disease Control Methods: Common measures to protect cassava crops against viral pathogens do not provide a sustainable solution to the pervasive issue of viral diseases in cassava.
Yield Loss and Economic Impact: Farmers in African countries lose between 20% to 95% of cassava yields due to disease infections, valued at about US$1,200 – 2,300 million.

Solution

Development of Disease Resistant Cassava Varieties: These varieties are resistant to major diseases, which significantly reduces infection rates and yield losses, as well as prevents the rapid spread of diseases across growing areas.
Genetic Resistance Mechanisms: These genes are transferred from wild types into improved cassava varieties through conventional crossing techniques, offering a relatively cost-effective approach.
Comprehensive Disease Resistance: Many of the cassava varieties that are resistant to mosaic disease or brown streak disease also exhibit resistance to other major cassava pathogens, offering a significant advantage for integrated crop health management by farmers.

Key points to design your project

The technology of disease-resistant cassava varieties significantly contributes to various aspects of sustainable development. By reducing yield losses, improving food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture, these varieties empower women, mitigate climate change impacts, and contribute to achieving global development objectives.

To integrate this cassava technology into your project, consider the following activities and prerequisites:

Raise awareness among multipliers, farmers, and food processors about the benefits of disease-resistant cassava varieties.
Identify and acquire elite immune lines adapted to local conditions.
Build stakeholder capacity in propagating healthy planting material through local delivery hubs.
Estimate the quantity of cassava roots needed for your project, with planting materials typically costing between USD 30 to 35 per hectare.
Include delivery costs to the project site, accounting for potential import clearance and duties, as the technology is available in various countries.
Including costs for training and post-training support.
Develop communication materials such as flyers, videos, and radio broadcasts to raise awareness.
Associate this technology with an integrated weed, pest, and soil management system (GAP) and seed bulking for cassava multiplication for optimal results.
Explore collaborations with agricultural development institutes and seed multiplication companies for effective implementation in your country.

Cost: $$$ 30—35 USD

1 ha of planting materials of elite cassava varieties

15—20 %

Incidences of cassava mosaic disease with resistant varieties

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
Burkina Faso	Tested	Adopted
Burundi	Tested	Adopted
Cameroon	Tested	Adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo	Tested	Adopted
Ethiopia	Tested	Adopted
Kenya	Tested	Adopted
Liberia	Tested	Adopted
Madagascar	Tested	Adopted
Malawi	Tested	Adopted
Mozambique	Tested	Adopted
Nigeria	Tested	Adopted
Rwanda	Tested	Adopted
Uganda	Tested	Adopted
Zambia	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 2: zero hunger

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Goal 13: climate action

Goal 15: life on land

Sourcing Disease Resistant Cuttings: Acquire disease-resistant cassava cuttings from reliable sources or select them from previously established disease-resistant cassava fields. Ensure that the cuttings are free from disease symptoms.
Field Preparation: Prepare the cassava field by clearing the land of weeds and debris. Ensure proper spacing and row orientation to minimize the spread of diseases.
Planting Cuttings: Depending on the climate and rainfall conditions, plant the cuttings horizontally in dry areas or vertically/angularly in humid areas.
Cover the cuttings entirely with soil to promote healthy growth.
Soil and Fertilizer Management: Adhere to recommended soil and fertilizer management practices tailored to your specific growing area and conditions. Ensure that the cassava plants receive adequate nutrients and water.
Weed Management: Implement effective weed control measures to prevent weed encroachment, which can limit cassava growth and yield.
Disease Control: Monitor the cassava field for any signs of disease. Promptly remove and destroy any infected plants to prevent disease spread.
Consider planting disease-resistant varieties on the boundaries or rows facing the prevailing wind direction to limit infections of susceptible varieties within the field.
Regular Maintenance: Regularly inspect the cassava field for any issues, including soil compaction or water limitations, and address them promptly to maintain optimal growing conditions.