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

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

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 program

A Solution for Cassava Cultivation

This technology addresses key challenges in cassava farming, such as low root quality, poor yields, and susceptibility to pests and diseases. Improved cassava varieties with high dry matter and starch content are tailored for both fresh consumption and industrial processing. These varieties are ideal for producing high-quality starch, flour, and ethanol, offering a significant advantage for farmers and processors.

In Nigeria, where cassava is a major staple, these varieties have demonstrated higher productivity and market value, helping farmers achieve better economic returns. Their resistance to cassava mosaic disease and cassava brown streak disease ensures reliable yields even in areas affected by these prevalent challenges.

This technology supports several Sustainable Development Goals SDG 2 by increasing root quality and yields, it enhances food security and supports industrial value chains; SDG 5 women, who are often key players in cassava processing, benefit from improved income opportunities; SDG 13 the varieties’ natural resistance to pests and diseases reduces the need for chemical inputs, promoting environmentally sustainable practices.

This technology is an integral component of the Cassava Toolkit, working in synergy with complementary innovations to boost productivity and resilience. Key technologies that complement the use of cassava varieties with high dry matter and starch content include Mobile Cassava Processing Plant that provides on-site processing of cassava into various products, reducing post-harvest losses and transportation costs.

The technology has been introduced in Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda under the Enabling Sustainable Regional Agricultural Extension (ENSURE) project funded by AfDB.

Cost: $$$

ROI: $$$

35 ton/ha

potential yield

40 - 45 %

dry mater content

80 - 95 %

starch content

IP

Plant variety protection

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

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Benin	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Côte d’Ivoire	–No ongoing testing	Tested	Adopted
Nigeria	–No ongoing testing	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.