Why cassava?

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Why cassava?

• It is a fascinating plant, and perhaps the one
  with the most potential.
• - food
• starch
• - animal feed
• - bioenergy and biofuels.
• Leaves are a source of protein and can be used in
  animal feed and food for human consumption.

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Growing conditions

• Cassava can
• Grow under different agro-ecological conditions
  (where annual rainfall is as low as 500 mm, or
  where it is as high as 5,000 mm).
• Remain in ground for several months without
  serious deterioration.

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Biofuels use

• High sugar varieties can be developed as
  competitive crops for bio-ethanol production.
• High starch varieties can be used as filler
  crops in processing bio-ethanol.
• Peels can be a source of bio-energy

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Targets and objectives of the Consultation

• To clearly define the research agenda for
• Developing high sugar varieties of cassava from
  production to processing.
• Identifying suitable varieties for using cassava
  as a filler crop in multi feed bio-ethanol
  plants.
• The development needs to be undertaken
• While ensuring that the poor benefit
• Without compromising food security.
• Ensuring environmentally sound development.

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Consultation

• Eight sessions covering the following topics
• Overview of potential of cassava as a food crop
  and as a feedstock for biofuels.
• Country experiences in the processing of cassava
  for bio-ethanol production.
• Cassava improvement breeding, biotechnology and
  quality planting material.
• Agronomy (crop, soil, water, and pest
  management).
• Cassava as a bioenergy crop.
• Post-harvest handling and market optimization for
  smallholders.
• Policy issues in bio-ethanol/bioenergy production
  using cassava as feed stock.
• Next steps and summary.
• Each session is 100 minutes, each speaker 15 to
  20 minutes and there are 40 minutes for
  discussion.
• Request clear summary from each session.