The income generating potential of roots and tubers in Africa is increasingly recognized, with governments placing their commercialization at the center of national agricultural development strategies. In this context, the African Roots and Tubers project seeks to strengthen the links between national and regional strategies for the sector, including regional market integration. The project concentrates on the enabling environment - namely policy frameworks, legislation and institutions - by improving the capacity to formulate and implement agrifood sector strategies for roots and tubers.

Approach

• Mapping in each beneficiary country of key policies, legislation and institutional arrangements that affect the domestic markets of roots and tubers.
• Identifying policy weaknesses and misalignments and proposing relevant reforms that are gender sensitive.
• Promoting and supporting multi-stakeholder discussions to develop national and regional level policies and strategies.
• Providing technical support for the development of market information systems for roots and tubers.

Examples from project countries

In West Africa (Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Benin), there will be a focus on regional trade of roots and tubers products, including the issue of tax exemptions related to rules of origin within the ECOWAS region. Furthermore, in Ghana, the project will examine options for policies to promote the addition of cassava flour in bakery and confectionary products.

In Cameroon, a national level workshop will discuss the possibility of setting up a mechanism to strengthen and improve the coordination among cassava value chain actors.

In  Rwanda and Uganda, where cross-border trade in ware and seed potatoes is substantial, the project will organize a regional workshop on the development and realignment of seed systems.

In Malawi, capacity building of members of the Roots and Tubers Crops Innovation Platform (RTCIP) is expected to enhance the development of a national cassava strategy.