Roots and Tubers Expansion Programme

Population pressure on the land has significantly reduced soil fertility in many parts of the country. For poor farmers coping with declining soil fertility and crop yields, fertilizers are expensive and frequently unavailable. Shifting to cassava production is often the best option for them. Cassava grows better than yam in low fertility conditions. And in the poorest communities roots and tubers make up a high proportion of the family diet.

The long-term objective of the programme is to commercialize root and tuber production to improve the living conditions, income, food security and nutritional health of the poorest smallholder households in the programme area. It particularly targets small-scale farmers with less than 2 hectares of land per household. The programme uses the existing extension service system to introduce improved varieties of roots and tubers and better cultivation techniques. Since women play a major role in cassava and other food crop production, processing and marketing, the programme encourages them to participate in research trials and demonstrations. Specific programme objectives include:

• developing improved root and tuber production technologies to increase productivity
• multiplying improved planting material
• developing processing techniques and marketing activities
• collaborating with NGOs to provide training to farmers

The programme has improved the availability and access to new varieties of planting materials, and has also enhanced the processing and marketing of products. It introduces trade policies to expand the breadth of demand for root and tuber products, and cassava in particular. It also helps targeted communities purchase equipment for processing.
 

Source: IFAD