The potential of cassava value chain in enhancing food security and income generation by small holder farmers in Kenya
Abstract
Africa is the biggest user and producer of cassava (Manihot Esculenta), the
World's fourth ranking energy crop and staple food for around one billion
people in 105 different countries of the World. However, despite increasing
demand and production potential, cassava still remains an 'orphan crop' in
many countries of Africa, usually cultivated only by small subsistence farmers
with little or no access to improved varieties or inputs, cut off from commercial
scale marketing or agro-processing industries. This is the same case in Kenya,
where cassava has ever been treated as a famine crop, to fall back on when
popular staples are inadequately available. A lot of research has been carried
out to develop high yielding, non disease prone varieties, but the attitude has
still not changed to mainstream cassava into diets, and commercial production,
marketing and agro-processing in the country. This paper explores the use of
value chain approach to bring out its potential to enhance food security and the
livelihoods of communities through increased production, marketing and
value addition, and incorporation into local dietaries.
Citation
Optimimization of Agricultural Value Chains for sustainable DevelopmentSponsorhip
National Council of Science and Technology, The Kenya Seed CompanyPublisher
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nairobi
Description
aGRO 2011 biennial conference presentation