Cassava cultivation in sub-Saharan Africa

Publication date: 19/07/2017
Extent: 26 pages

Contributions by: Dunstan S. C. Spencer, Enterprise Development Services Ltd, Sierra Leone; and Chuma Ezedinma, UNIDO, Nigeria

Chapter synopsis: In sub-Saharan Africa, cassava is cultivated under a wide range of ecological and agronomic conditions. Cassava’s adaptability to relatively marginal soils and erratic rainfall conditions, its high productivity per unit of land and labour, the certainty of obtaining some yield even under the most adverse conditions and the possibility of maintaining continuity of supply throughout the year make the crop very adaptable to rain-fed agriculture conditions. This chapter describes the current state of cassava production in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as its contribution to incomes and food and nutrition security. The chapter considers the main drivers of change for cassava production in the region.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2016.0014.06