Cassava was imported from Latin America some 300 years ago, and colonial governments in Africa used it as a famine-reserve crop. Over time cassava spread to over 40 countries in Sub-Sahara Africa, and Nigeria is now the largest cassava producer in the world. At Africa’s independence in the 1960s, cassava mosaic disease was a major problem. In the 1970s, the cassava mealybug appeared and threatened to decimate the African cassava industry. Cassava mosaic and mealybug control programs were introduced in the 1970s to combat these two problems.

Highlights from Millions Fed: Proven Successes in Agricultural Development

Millions fed

Related Events: 

Millions Fed: Proven Successes in Agricultural Development

PDF file: 

ifpridp00912.pdf(448.1KB)