Posted June 2001
Congo DR - forming partnerships to promote cassava production |
Title: Consultative Group on Cassava |
The ACC Network-affliated Consultative Group on Cassava periodically meets to exchange experiences and views on the phytosanitary status of cassava in the country. In a recent initiative, the Group recommended that a team of scientists from the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) assist in the assessment of the phytosanitary status of cassava and participate in the development of an action plan to stop the spread of pests and diseases, increase yields and restore national production.
In December 2000, a multi-disciplinary team of IITA scientists visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo: after field trips to the Kinhasa and Bas Congo provinces it was unanimously recognized that pests and diseases, including CMD, were the major causes of the decrease in cassava production. The ensuing report, 'The Assessment of Cassava Pests and Diseases in Kinshasa and Bas Congo', relates to these findings; describes the subsequent meetings coordinated by the Group with members of the government, the international community and the private sector; and presents immediate and medium-term measures for action.
A multi-donor project is being formulated concerning "Accelerated generation and deployment of cassava technologies for enhanced and sustainable food availability and poverty alleviation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo". With an estimated budget of about USD 5 million for five years, it will cover the eleven provinces of the country.
For further information contact: FAO-ZAR@field.fao.org