EXPERTS: ROOT AND TUBER CROPS ARE VERSATILE CROPS THAT CAN ENABLE AFRICA TO MEET ITS FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY

Root and tuber crops are versatile crops that can enable Africa to meet its food and nutrition security as they produce more food per unit area of land than most crops.

If the governments will neglect root crops and agricultural research… food production would not be able to keep up with unchecked population growth. We need to invest in agriculture, to invest in infrastructure that’s needed for raising productivity in agriculture, and in particular to invest in agricultural research,” Prof. Lateef Sanni, President of the International Society for Root and Tuber Crops-Africa Branch (ISTRC-AB) and from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria said during a 31th Symposium of the International Society for root and Tuber Crops-Africa Branch held in Dar es Salaam Tanzania.

The entire world is groaning, anticipating for the end of the global food security threat that for long time has been the affected by the fulcrum of economic conundrum. With the global climate change approaching to be rampant more than it was ever imagined, there are a number of calls, conferences to ensure that this hurdle has been dealt with totally.

This has led to a number of researcher, development partners, private sector practitioners and farmers, equally calling for some advancement and developments, especially and categorically on root crops research and partnership in Africa to serve a more efficient and effective long-term run in the reduction of global food security threats.

The crops are not only cultivated for food but increasingly are also becoming industrial crops through processing into high-value products. This in turn has seen a steady increase in the crop’s production across the continent.

“Addressing post-harvest losses and market cannot be overemphasized in the efforts to boost production of root and tuber crops in Africa. If not well addressed, then all the work done to increase production through development and adoption of improved varieties, and good agronomic practices will not realize the anticipated benefits,” said Dr.Victor Manyong, IITA director of East Africa.

On his side, Dr. Hussein Mansoor, the Director for Research and Development in the Ministry of Agriculture said that Tanzania is indeed honored to be hosting this meeting that brings together experts from all over the world to address research and development on root and tube crops.

Many challenges faced by these crops includes lack of access to and adoption of improved varieties, poor farming practices including low usage of inputs such as fertilizers among others, lack of organized market and poor mechanization.