Cassava is an important staple crop and one of the most strategic crops throughout the tropical world. In sub-Saharan Africa, over 100 million people depend on cassava. For these people, the crop is vital for food security and income generation. But production continues to be threatened by the spread of cassava diseases with immediate and far-reaching impacts on food supply in the region.

FAO has prepared a new 15 country, five year programme framework for addressing cassava diseases in central, eastern and southern Africa – the framework provides a road map for projects in five major areas: deployment of new/improved cassava varieties and clean/disease-free planting materials; communication; coordination; farmer education; and surveillance.

Please click on the icon below to read the full article.