Cassava disease threatens garri supply

There is fear of imminent scarcity of local staple food, garri, following an outbreak of a destructive cassava mosaic disease.

nformation made available by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan has it that the mosaic disease which almost wiped out cassava plants in Nigeria in the early 1970s, has resurfaced again in a more vicious form.

Experts from the IITA warned that the more virulent strain of the dangerous cassava disease could wipe out a huge number of cassava farms in West Africa, even as the institution is battling to find an antidote to the pest.

An official of the agricultural research institute, James Agba, told AfricaNews, an online publication that the disease was threatening to wipe out the crop in Nigeria, Cameroun, Ghana and Togo.

”A diagnostic survey by our experts has detected the new strain of the disease in West Africa. The disease combines features of strains earlier discovered in West Africa and East Africa,” he said.

According to a statement by the IITA, ”The disease presents a tiny, black mosaic dots on the leaves and produces powdery substances on the stems of the cassava plant. It leaves affected plants stunted and depresses their yield by more than 80 percent.”

Nigeria is currently the world leading producer of cassava. This outbreak has created an emergency response from agricultural experts in the country. These experts are toiling to ensure that the disease is checked and put under control.

”It might interest you to know that Nigeria earns lots of foreign exchange from cassava export, so we are at risk of running a big foreign exchange shortage if the disease continues to destroy the crop” said Adebisi Adurangba, an expert in agronomy.

”There is the need to show some concern over the cassava disease because cassava is a popular delicacy in Nigeria and most African countries. It provides multiple delicacy option for almost every household and the by-product can be converted to starch. It is very important in Africa food chain, so it has to be preserved and protected from the destructive disease,” Adurangba added.

Already the cost of garri is rising in the market as a four-litre paint plastic bucket of garri that sold for between N220 and N250 now sells for about N350.

The cassava plant, indigenous to South America, was introduced to West Africa during the slave trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. Its short maturity period of six months and ability to grow in both dry and rainy seasons quickly made it a staple crop.

Similarly, as the cropping season draws near, resource-poor farmers in northern Nigeria have put forward a demand for more improved seed varieties from scientists working on the Sudan Savannah task force project.

The project comprises a team of IITA researchers working on the Kano-Katsina-Maradi (KKM) Pilot initiative which aims to carry out integrated agricultural research-for-development to address the several constraints facing farmers in the region.

The leader of Aminchi Multipurpose Group at Tabbani village, Musawa LGA, Katsina State, Hajiya Murja Abass, made the demand on behalf of the farmers during the 2009 stakeholders‘ mobilisation exercise which also witnessed the launching of innovation platforms in Katsina State in the presence of the Chairman of Safana LGA, Alhaji Abdulkadir Zakka, and Chairman of Musawa LGA, Dr. Aliyu Musawa.

Abass, a seed producer in the 2008 cropping exercise, pleaded that more improved seeds should be provided by the taskforce in order to meet up with demand from farmers.

”Farmers love the seeds because of the good results they got last year. The improved seeds yield thrice the normal harvest they get using the same hectare of land and the same quantity of seeds,” she said.

Northern Nigeria is home to grain crop such as cowpea, soybeans, groundnut, sorghum, millet and maize among others but constraints such as lack of improved seed varieties, declining soil fertility and poor marketing have limited grain production.

The KKM pilot scheme, which is funded by the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), through its recently inaugurated innovation platforms aims to tackle the problems in a holistic manner.

Apart from the IITA, partners in the project include the Katsina State ADP; Kano State ADP; Institute of Agricultural Research, Zaria; National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services; National Animal Production Research Institute; IRNS; two LGAs; and input and output dealers.

The Sudan Savannah taskforce leader, Dr. Alpha Kamara, said the project would help in finding solutions to the numerous constraints faced by the farmers.

”We would also want the local government authorities to fully support the innovation platforms in the implementation of the project activities,” Kamara, who is also an IITA agronomist, said.

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My second presentation

Bali is true heaven of tourism. At least that existing fact and which I feel as part of Bali society which live and grow in Bali island. There are a lot of beautiful exotic place in this island. One of them is Tanah Lot. As tourism object, Tanah Lot is true famous. It’s called as icon of Bali Tourism, Tanah Lot is so enthused by all tourist, foreign or Domestic tourist.

Tanah Lot is True with fascination. This tourist object integrate consist of sunset moment that very beautiful with spiritual tourism marked by tanah lot temple.
I got the invitation from my client and this is the second time I have a chance to visit Bali presenting my cassava product for biosolar and place that interesting in Tanah lot located in tabanan Regency.

In order to enjoy all of interest places surrounding Tanah lot tourism object, you must come early and do not forget bring your sun glasses, before I forget if you need to buy online for sunglasses product with competitive price, or you might need High-indexed Prescription Eyeglasses On Sale since the UV there is very strong I recommended you to buy one.
In the evening you can enjoy sunset in the west part. Now, it’s time to leave from the beach (Tanah lot) But wait, have your hand bring the souvenir! Don’t worry because of that. In there, available art market that available some of crafts and Bali special food. Well I really enjoying my presentation.

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Cassava in the Summit spotlight

CASSAVA in a traditional Trini oil down will be one of the dishes served at the main banquet for leaders and delegates at the Fifth Summit of the Americas which will be taking place in Port-of-Spain from Friday.

For those who might not be familiar with this root vegetable, we decided to highlight cassava, as well as some of the tasty dishes in which it is the main ingredient.

Grown as a shrub in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and South America, cassava is harvested for its root and leaves. High in starch, it is a plant that contains low levels of protein in the root and high levels in the green leaves. This plant is a key crop in many areas where other crops cannot grow as easily, making it valued as a food and a crop to market to local food markets, or ethnic food markets worldwide as a fresh or frozen vegetable.

Depending on the variety grown, this root can be bitter or sweet in flavour and should always be washed, peeled and cooked to remove poisonous substances contained in the root that can attack enzymes within human digestive systems, causing discomfort, illness, and possibly death. If not processed properly (it should be dried, soaked in a water solution, thoroughly washed, and cooked) a poisonous cyanide toxin that causes harm to human digestive systems cannot be effectively removed from the crop. However, since the varieties vary and since this tuber may cause different levels of distress if consumed raw, it is always best to be safe and cook the vegetable before eating.

As a food high in carbohydrates, containing almost 140 calories in an average sized tuber, this vegetable is often prepared and served much like a potato as a side dish or added as an ingredient in soups and stews. The texture is very absorbent, so the flesh of the root takes on the flavour of any other ingredients combined with it when baked, boiled, fried, or sauteed. The root contains significantly more fiber content and only slightly more potassium than a potato.

In addition to the root, the plant leaves are also consumed as they are cooked and served as a vegetable green. When harvested, the root has a rough brown outer skin that covers a white crisp textured flesh. As a fresh root, it will often be coated with editable wax in an attempt to store it for longer periods of time. After being harvested, it will not last long. Fresh roots can be stored in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days, but store slightly longer (3 to 4 days) when kept out of the refrigerator in a cool dry area. The flesh freezes well and can be kept for several months frozen if peeled, cut into chunks and wrapped in an airtight wrapping.

Commonly used to make tapioca, tapioca flour, Cassava flour, pancakes, bammy bread, cassava flat bread, and snack chips, this root may also be referred to as Yuca Root, Manioc, Manihot, Mandioca, and Eddoes. At times, it is mistakenly referred to as Yucca, which is a non-edible plant from the Agave plant family.

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