Cassava: practices and technologies to improve food security in sub-Saharan Africa

Orphan crops are underutilised and under researched crops. In many developing countries, these crops are essential for food, nutrition security, climate compliant and income generation. However, minimal resources and research time have been significantly allocated as they are associated with poor de...

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Main Authors: Nyasha Sakadzo, Andrew Tapiwa Kugedera, Njodzi Ranganai, Letticia Kudzai Kokerai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Food & Agriculture
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311932.2025.2518758
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author Nyasha Sakadzo
Andrew Tapiwa Kugedera
Njodzi Ranganai
Letticia Kudzai Kokerai
author_facet Nyasha Sakadzo
Andrew Tapiwa Kugedera
Njodzi Ranganai
Letticia Kudzai Kokerai
author_sort Nyasha Sakadzo
collection DOAJ
description Orphan crops are underutilised and under researched crops. In many developing countries, these crops are essential for food, nutrition security, climate compliant and income generation. However, minimal resources and research time have been significantly allocated as they are associated with poor developing countries. The objective of this mini review is to present or highlight the contribution of orphan crops to sustainable food production in Africa by presenting best management practices and technologies for the production of the crops. Additionally, technologies and best management practices for cassava cultivation are also covered. Cassava feed millions of people as it is adapted to the local environments in which it is grown. However, in Sub-Saharan Africa the application of modern breeding of these crops is only in its infancy. Cassava can be used for flour preparation which is used for bread making in developing countries. Management practices for sustainable cassava production include computational models, dynamic crop growth simulations, resistant varieties, golden-fleshed cassava, breeding for quality, mechanized planting and harvesting, effective weed management, and mobile processing units for value addition. There is a need for policy makers in sub-Saharan Africa to review their agricultural policy so as to encourage production of drought-tolerant cassava.
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publishDate 2025-12-01
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series Cogent Food & Agriculture
spelling doaj-art-5b8524782e054e019bf6ff6cb72d025b2025-08-20T03:20:58ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Food & Agriculture2331-19322025-12-0111110.1080/23311932.2025.2518758Cassava: practices and technologies to improve food security in sub-Saharan AfricaNyasha Sakadzo0Andrew Tapiwa Kugedera1Njodzi Ranganai2Letticia Kudzai Kokerai3Department of Agricultural Economics and Development, Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences, Mutare, ZimbabweDepartment of Agriculture Management, Zimbabwe Open University, Masvingo, ZimbabweDepartment of Mathematics and Computer Science, Masvingo, ZimbabweDepartment of Crop and Livestock, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Masvingo, ZimbabweOrphan crops are underutilised and under researched crops. In many developing countries, these crops are essential for food, nutrition security, climate compliant and income generation. However, minimal resources and research time have been significantly allocated as they are associated with poor developing countries. The objective of this mini review is to present or highlight the contribution of orphan crops to sustainable food production in Africa by presenting best management practices and technologies for the production of the crops. Additionally, technologies and best management practices for cassava cultivation are also covered. Cassava feed millions of people as it is adapted to the local environments in which it is grown. However, in Sub-Saharan Africa the application of modern breeding of these crops is only in its infancy. Cassava can be used for flour preparation which is used for bread making in developing countries. Management practices for sustainable cassava production include computational models, dynamic crop growth simulations, resistant varieties, golden-fleshed cassava, breeding for quality, mechanized planting and harvesting, effective weed management, and mobile processing units for value addition. There is a need for policy makers in sub-Saharan Africa to review their agricultural policy so as to encourage production of drought-tolerant cassava.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311932.2025.2518758Cassavafood securitynutritional securityclimatecompliantCrop Science
spellingShingle Nyasha Sakadzo
Andrew Tapiwa Kugedera
Njodzi Ranganai
Letticia Kudzai Kokerai
Cassava: practices and technologies to improve food security in sub-Saharan Africa
Cogent Food & Agriculture
Cassava
food security
nutritional security
climate
compliant
Crop Science
title Cassava: practices and technologies to improve food security in sub-Saharan Africa
title_full Cassava: practices and technologies to improve food security in sub-Saharan Africa
title_fullStr Cassava: practices and technologies to improve food security in sub-Saharan Africa
title_full_unstemmed Cassava: practices and technologies to improve food security in sub-Saharan Africa
title_short Cassava: practices and technologies to improve food security in sub-Saharan Africa
title_sort cassava practices and technologies to improve food security in sub saharan africa
topic Cassava
food security
nutritional security
climate
compliant
Crop Science
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311932.2025.2518758
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