In July 1985 a regional workshop on cassava was held in Guadeloupe to identify and define common regional constraints to root crop development, evaluate the potential for further development of root crops in the region, and develop a program for regional network activities. Individual country reports presented discuss the role of the different root crops in the country`s agricultural economy, socioeconomic characteristics of root crop farmers, production and marketing, government policies, and research and training activities. (CIAT)
The root crops consumed in Trinidad and Tobago that are of significant economic importance are cassava, sweetpotato, yams, and dasheen. The Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources provides education and training courses for farmers and research programmes in agronomy, crop protection, and post-harvest handling. Two significant aspects of the Government's policy that have continued to provide a strong basis for the sustainable production of root crops are the on-going maintenance of its plant genetic resource base and the training programmes both in-house and in the field. Root crops are generally manually harvested in quantities that are saleable within two days in the markets minimizing the need for storage. Processed products include frozen cassava, chips, and farine which are consumed locally. Export and processing operations have fluctuated because of inconsistent supplies. However, there is a marketing thrust to stimulate production via increased utilization locally through the school-feeding programme. Root crops, therefore, will continue to significantly contribute to sustainable food security in the next millennium.
During the two 5-year consecutives phases ( 1994–1998 and 1999–2003) EARRNET operated considerably among the national cassava research programs of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Rwanda, and Uganda. After 2000, the network expanded significantly with activities in Southern Sudan and Ethiopia with a mission to transform cassava into a broad-based commercial commodity for sustained food security, poverty alleviation, and income generation through integrated regional production, utilization, marketing, and trade. This entailed the development, transfer, and promotion of sustainable market oriented technologies broadly defined as "technologies that respond to a market opportunity, are developed at the behest of and with potential users, based on previous market experience, and are economically viable in a significant number of market settings". During the period from 2004 to 2007, the network implemented projects based on the recommendations of the workshop that discussed the subsector analysis that was commissioned during the second phase. The subsector analysis provided a comprehensive database, identified opportunities, constraints, and needs, and proposed areas for technological, institutional, organizational, and policy interventions. The outcome of the workshop developed the priority setting exercise which influenced the network's activities. Germplasm development remained one of the major core activities of the network. More efforts were made to develop germplasm that responded to the emerging markets needs. Exchange and capacity building were increased. Germplasm from different sources was used, either as exotic or local seeds from crossing blocks or half-sib seeds collected from local cultivars to plant seedlings trials. A total of 869 families were planted at Namulonge and Serere Research Stations during the period. From these seedlings, the clones selected were advanced in clonal evaluation and in preliminary yield trials from which the national agricultural; research systems (NARS) continued to receive advanced germplasm for further evaluation in their respective agro-ecologies. Cassava is known primarily to have white roots. Cassava with yellow roots and enhanced β-carotene content has been grown by smallholder farmers for centuries with varying levels of importance in different cassava growing regions. IITA's cassava breeders began working early on yellow root cassava with the selection and testing of improved yellow root clones. In East Africa, EARRNET took the lead in collaboration with Ugachick Poultry Breeders Ltd in testing the potential of incorporating cassava into animal feeds (for broiler chickens) with the objective of replacing a reasonable 10–20% of maize with cassava in feed formulations. This collaboration included screening yellow genotypes for multiple resistance, particularly to cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and the new threat, cassava brown streak disease (CBSD). From a total of 18 genotypes selected from yellow cassava trials in Namulonge, only two genotypes had a foliar CBSD index score above 20, namely MH05/0309 and MM98/1790. The genotype MM98/1790 also had severe CBSD root symptoms (score 4.5). Another genotype, MH04/2990, had no foliar CBSD symptoms but showed root symptoms (score 2.7). The rest showed good resistance to both CMD and CBSD. With the spread of CBSD into high altitude environments, contrary to what was known to be the ecology of the disease (low land along the coast of East and Southern Africa), more efforts were initiated by screening for CBSD the improved CMD resistant IITA/EARRNET midaltitude germplasm that were in in situ conservation. Additional seeds with a background from Amani (a research station in Kenya) materials were introduced for evaluation under high disease pressure areas in Mukono district in Uganda. After 4 years of intensive screening, potential resistant/tolerant genotypes were identified with good agronomic characteristics and preferred by farmers. These 50 genotypes were then challenged to CBSV infection through grafting. ; United States Agency for International Development
It is imperative for developing countries to keep abreast of modern educational trends to bring about progress and development. Competency-based education can by used as a vehicle for progress and development through improvements in the educational methods used in Guyana. Because Guyana has a tropical agricultural based economy and because educational institutions must have dynamic programs of change to be effective agents of change, a model for a CBE course in tropical root crops has been developed. Competency-based education is aimed at moving away from traditional methods of teaching and as a result emphasis is placed on learning rather than on teaching. Each student is seen as an individual and is not judged by comparing his rate of progress with his group. The model for the competency-based course of instruction was developed using as a guide the model developed by the University of Houston and adopted by Prairie View A & M University. The model component is comprised of three modules. The design of the modules is patterned on the competency-based education system. It is felt that CBE is ideal for Guyana's educational system because the Ministry of Education has started a program called a Multilateral School System. This system will be the core for the restructuring of the secondary school system, where a wide variety of subjects, including technical subjects will be taught. In such a school system CBE is ideally suited because this method of teaching can encompass the various subject areas, which will be taught in the Multilateral Schools, and can offer the type of results which Guyana's government desires in its educational system.
The consumption of traditional food crops, dominated by root crops, has been either stagnating or in decline in South Pacific countries. Governments have attempted to reverse this trend through strategies that highlight the importance and health benefits of such crops, but with little success. Inadequate knowledge by policy makers of the major causes of the trend is argued to be an important factor contributing to this lack of success. The most important obstacles to developing traditional food crop industries are identified by examining factors influencing the supply and demand of taro and other root crops in Fiji. On the supply side, attention is given to the constraints on production, storage, processing, transport, and marketing. On the demand side, the focus is on various economic, social, and cultural factors identified as the chief determinants of consumption decisions. Suggestions are made for the development of a strategy to improve the competitiveness of root crops in relation to imported foods (especially rice and flour), that is more effective than current strategies. Policies are suggested to underpin this strategy, with particular emphasis on the encouragement of productivity gains in production and post-harvest activities. Any strategy to make food industries more competitive in domestic food markets will require an improved understanding of the factors changing tastes and preferences of domestic consumers. Marketing research programmes for root crops are needed, but will require government support.
In Guyana, cassava is the most important root crop; root crops occupy the 5th place of importance in national food crop production. The main cropping systems used by the farmers in the different regions of the country are described. More than 1 crop is planted to reduce risks; in the Pomeroon region, cassava is planted as an intercrop with tree crops such as citrus, avocado, and other mixed fruits. The lowest price was paid for cassava. Although the domestic demand for root and tuber crops is primarily as fresh food, cassava is also consumed processed (flour, starch, cassareep, bread). Since 1970 the government of Guyana has restricted the importation of energy-rich agricultural products; therefore, they have been replaced with locally produced root and tuber crops. During this same period, the Accelerated Production Drive program was started; its objective was to promote cassava production and its processing into flour and animal feed. Unfortunately, the program was not successful. The staff of the National Research Institute is listed; research has focused mainly on rice and cassava. The results of research carried out on root crops are briefly presented, and for cassava, it is proposed to continue the evaluation of cv. and to study the different cropping systems. (CIAT) ; En Guyana, la yuca es el cultivo de raices mas importante; estos cultivos ocupan el quinto lugar de importancia en el contexto de la produccion nacional. Se describen los principales sistemas de cultivo empleados por los agricultores en las diferentes regiones del pais. Generalmente se siembra mas de un cultivo para minimizar riesgos; en la region de Pomeroon, la yuca se intercala con cultivos arboreos como citricos, aguacate y otros frutales. La yuca es el cultivo de raices menos costoso. Aunque la demanda domestica de los cultivos de raices y tuberculos es principalmente en su forma fresca, la yuca tambien se consume en forma procesada (harina, almidon, casaripo, pan). Desde 1970, el gobierno de Guyana ha restringido las importaciones de productos agricolas ricos en energia; por lo tanto, se han reemplazado con los cultivos de raices y tuberculos producidos localmente. En el mismo periodo, se creo el programa Accelerated Production Drive, cuyo fin era promover la produccion de yuca y su procesamiento en harina y alimentos para animales; desafortunadamente el programa no tuvo exito. Se enumera el personal del National Research Institute, cuyo interes se ha enfocado principalmente en arroz y yuca. Se presentan brevemente los resultados de algunas investigaciones hechas sobre cultivos de raices y para yuca se propone continuar la evaluacion de cv. y estudiar los diferentes sistemas de cultivo. (CIAT)
The supply and demand of root and tuber crops and their products in Trinidad and Tobago are analyzed; in this country, cassava and Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta are the main root crops grown. Aspects covered are characteristics of cultivated land, cropping systems, yields, socioeconomic profile of farmers, production vol., costs, and constraints, and marketing. Government policies on the importation of energy-rich agricultural products, domestic subsidies, import and export tariffs, credit, and production incentives are given. Regarding the future research on cassava, emphasis will be placed on the collection, multiplication, and selection of local and foreign germplasm and the introduction and agronomic evaluation of local and CIAT cv. Studies will be conducted on intercropping systems, CBB, storage systems, harvest mechanization, and physiological factors controlling yield. (CIAT) ; Se analizan la oferta y demanda de cultivos de raices y tuberculos y sus productos en Trinidad y Tobago, donde la yuca y Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta son los principales. Se tratan aspectos sobre caracteristicas de la tierra sembrada, sistemas de cultivo, rendimientos, perfil socioeconomico de los productores, vol., costos y limitaciones de la produccion y mercadeo. Se presentan las politicas gubernamentales relacionadas con importacion de productos agricolas con un alto contenido energetico, subsidios domesticos, impuestos de importacion y exportacion, y creditos e incentivos para la produccion. En relacion con la investigacion futura sobre yuca se hara enfasis en la coleccion, multiplicacion y seleccion de germoplasma local y extranjero y la introduccion y evaluacion agronomica de cv. locales y del CIAT. Se realizaran estudios sobre sistemas de cultivos asociados, CBB, sistemas de almacenamiento, mecanizacion de la cosecha y factores fisiologicos que controlan el rendimiento. (CIAT)
The situation of root and tuber crops, especially taro, cassava, yam, sweet potato, and potato, in Barbados is discussed and analyzed. Although the production and exportation of yam and sweet potato decreased during the period 1970-84, cassava and taro production, for local consumption, has remained constant. Potato, with the highest consumption, has to be imported. Aspects on cultivation, marketing, and production of these crops are briefly described. Quarantine regulations, past and present government policies, and research, training, and technological development of these crops are indicated. The importance of a credible data base with statistics of root and tuber crops is highlighted. (CIAT) ; Se discute y analiza la situacion de los cultivos de raices y tuberculos, especialmente malangay, yuca, name, batata y papa, en Barbados. Aunque la produccion y exportacion del name y batata disminuyeron durante el periodo 1970-84, la produccion de yuca y malangay, que es solo para consumo local, se ha mantenido constante. La papa, cuyo consumo es mas alto, debe importarse. Se describen brevemente aspectos del cultivo, mercadeo y produccion de estos cultivos. Se indican las medidas de cuarentena, el presente y futuro de la politica gubernamental y la capacitacion, investigacion y desarrollo tecnologico de los cultivos ya mencionados. Se destaca la importancia de una base de datos confiable con estadisticas de los cultivos de raices y tuberculos. (CIAT)
The situation of sweet potato, cassava, cocoyam, taro, and yams, mainly grown for subsistence in Grenada, is presented. Their supply, cropping systems, yields, production costs and constraints, and the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers are briefly discussed. The marketing of sweet potato, yams, and aroids is analyzed as well as the government policies related to the support of root crop plant breeding programs.(CIAT) ; Se presenta la situacion de la batata, la yuca, el ocumo, el malangay y el name, cultivados principalmente para subsistencia en Granada. Se discuten brevemente su oferta, sistemas de cultivo, rendimientos, costos y limitaciones de la produccion y el perfil socioeconomico de los productores. Se analizan el mercadeo de batata, name y aroides y las politicas gubernamentales relacionadas con el apoyo a los proyectos de mejoramiento de los cultivos de raices. (CIAT)
