FAO Regional Office for Africa

Regional experience sharing workshop on cassava production and protection, Kumasi, Ghana

 

     Background

The roots and tubers sector (R&T) is one of the most important food sub-sectors across all of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific regions (ACP) where, under the aegis of the All ACP Agricultural Commodities programme (2008-2011), its commercialization as a strategy for poverty reduction was demonstrated by reinforcing linkages between smallholders, and semi-formal and formal markets. 

For many parts Sub-Saharan Africa (Africa), where R&T is a major source of sustenance, accounting for 20 percent of calories consumed in the region, crops such as cassava, yam and potatoes are not only important for food security but also increasingly for jobs creation, income generation - particularly for women and youth.

The project “Strengthening linkages between small actors and buyers in the Roots and Tubers sector in Africa’’ (GCP/RAF/448/EC) isfunded by the European Union and being implemented in seven countries in Africa: Benin, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Malawi, Rwanda and Uganda. This project aims at improving the livelihoods of small producers and other actors engaged in the roots and tubers value chains in the above-mentioned beneficiary countries.