Introduction
In an era defined by climate uncertainty, food insecurity, and growing global population pressures, cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) emerges as a beacon of agricultural resilience and food security potential. This remarkable tropical root crop, often called the "survivor crop," represents one of humanity's most promising solutions to the mounting challenges of twenty-first century agriculture. As policymakers and agricultural scientists increasingly recognize its enormous potential, cassava stands poised to play a transformative role in feeding the world's growing population while adapting to climate change realities.
In an era defined by climate uncertainty, food insecurity, and growing global population pressures, cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) emerges as a beacon of agricultural resilience and food security potential. This remarkable tropical root crop, often called the "survivor crop," represents one of humanity's most promising solutions to the mounting challenges of twenty-first century agriculture. As policymakers and agricultural scientists increasingly recognize its enormous potential, cassava stands poised to play a transformative role in feeding the world's growing population while adapting to climate change realities.
Global Production Landscape and Economic Impact
Production Statistics and Regional Dominance
The global cassava economy has experienced unprecedented growth in recent decades, with production patterns revealing both opportunities and challenges for the twenty-first century. Global cassava output has increased by 60 percent since 2000 and is set to accelerate further over the current decade as policymakers recognize its huge potential. This remarkable growth trajectory positions cassava as one of the fastest-expanding major food crops worldwide.
Nigeria's production of 63 million tonnes of cassava in 2021 represented about 20% of the world's total, securing its position as the leading producer. This dominance reflects not only favorable growing conditions but also increasing recognition of cassava's economic value and food security importance. Cassava production in Nigeria reached the highest level with an estimated value of 59 million and accounted for 20.4% world share in 2017, demonstrating consistent leadership in global production.
The international trade dynamics reveal interesting patterns, with Thailand leading cassava exports, reaching a value of $1.29 billion, while China dominated imports with a value of $1.48 billion. This trade flow indicates growing industrial demand and recognition of cassava's versatility beyond traditional food applications.
The global cassava economy has experienced unprecedented growth in recent decades, with production patterns revealing both opportunities and challenges for the twenty-first century. Global cassava output has increased by 60 percent since 2000 and is set to accelerate further over the current decade as policymakers recognize its huge potential. This remarkable growth trajectory positions cassava as one of the fastest-expanding major food crops worldwide.
Nigeria's production of 63 million tonnes of cassava in 2021 represented about 20% of the world's total, securing its position as the leading producer. This dominance reflects not only favorable growing conditions but also increasing recognition of cassava's economic value and food security importance. Cassava production in Nigeria reached the highest level with an estimated value of 59 million and accounted for 20.4% world share in 2017, demonstrating consistent leadership in global production.
The international trade dynamics reveal interesting patterns, with Thailand leading cassava exports, reaching a value of $1.29 billion, while China dominated imports with a value of $1.48 billion. This trade flow indicates growing industrial demand and recognition of cassava's versatility beyond traditional food applications.
Yield Potential and Productivity Improvements
Current production systems demonstrate both the potential and challenges facing cassava cultivation in the modern era. With improved varieties and under good management practices, they can reach 20–25 tonnes per hectare, indicating substantial potential for productivity enhancement. However, under the most prevalent farming methods, cassava yields are much lower. In 1994, they averaged 9.9 tonnes per hectare worldwide, little changed from the 9.5 tonnes per hectare reached in earlier periods, highlighting the gap between potential and actual productivity.
By applying climate-smart agricultural practices, cassava yields can be significantly improved. For example, around 13 per cent of improvement in yields comes from planting clean and healthy rooted cuttings, 17 per cent comes from enhancing soil fertility and 16 per cent comes from controlling various production challenges. These improvements demonstrate tangible pathways for enhancing productivity through science-based approaches.
Current production systems demonstrate both the potential and challenges facing cassava cultivation in the modern era. With improved varieties and under good management practices, they can reach 20–25 tonnes per hectare, indicating substantial potential for productivity enhancement. However, under the most prevalent farming methods, cassava yields are much lower. In 1994, they averaged 9.9 tonnes per hectare worldwide, little changed from the 9.5 tonnes per hectare reached in earlier periods, highlighting the gap between potential and actual productivity.
By applying climate-smart agricultural practices, cassava yields can be significantly improved. For example, around 13 per cent of improvement in yields comes from planting clean and healthy rooted cuttings, 17 per cent comes from enhancing soil fertility and 16 per cent comes from controlling various production challenges. These improvements demonstrate tangible pathways for enhancing productivity through science-based approaches.
Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience
Drought Tolerance and Environmental Adaptability
Cassava's exceptional environmental adaptability positions it as a critical crop for climate change adaptation strategies. It offers the advantage of being exceptionally drought-tolerant, and able to grow productively on poor soil, characteristics that become increasingly valuable as climate change intensifies agricultural challenges worldwide.
Among the major food crops of Africa (including maize, sorghum, millet, beans, potatoes and bananas), cassava is the least sensitive to the climate conditions predicted by 2030. It's drought resistant, can grow almost anywhere, and is not easily destroyed by heavy rains. This remarkable resilience makes cassava an essential component of climate-smart agricultural systems.
The relative tolerance of cassava to droughts and even short term flooding make it an excellent crop to resist the negative impacts of climate change. It is thus important in several ways: for tackling hunger in a world of changing climate, as a source of food security that can withstand extreme weather events.
Cassava's exceptional environmental adaptability positions it as a critical crop for climate change adaptation strategies. It offers the advantage of being exceptionally drought-tolerant, and able to grow productively on poor soil, characteristics that become increasingly valuable as climate change intensifies agricultural challenges worldwide.
Among the major food crops of Africa (including maize, sorghum, millet, beans, potatoes and bananas), cassava is the least sensitive to the climate conditions predicted by 2030. It's drought resistant, can grow almost anywhere, and is not easily destroyed by heavy rains. This remarkable resilience makes cassava an essential component of climate-smart agricultural systems.
The relative tolerance of cassava to droughts and even short term flooding make it an excellent crop to resist the negative impacts of climate change. It is thus important in several ways: for tackling hunger in a world of changing climate, as a source of food security that can withstand extreme weather events.
Climate-Smart Production Strategies
Conservation agriculture and production of drought-tolerant crops that thrive in all soil types are some of the major adaptation strategies by smallholder farmers. Food security is increased in such areas once drought-tolerant crops such as cassava are grown. This integration of cassava into diversified farming systems enhances overall system resilience.
Cassava is a "survivor" crop, able to thrive in the expected higher temperatures caused by climate change. An alliance of scientists has recently been formed to help promote cassava cultivation, indicating growing scientific and policy support for cassava-based climate adaptation strategies.
Conservation agriculture and production of drought-tolerant crops that thrive in all soil types are some of the major adaptation strategies by smallholder farmers. Food security is increased in such areas once drought-tolerant crops such as cassava are grown. This integration of cassava into diversified farming systems enhances overall system resilience.
Cassava is a "survivor" crop, able to thrive in the expected higher temperatures caused by climate change. An alliance of scientists has recently been formed to help promote cassava cultivation, indicating growing scientific and policy support for cassava-based climate adaptation strategies.
Nutritional Value and Food Security Contributions
Carbohydrate Content and Energy Provision
Cassava is the third largest source of human food and animal feed carbohydrates in the tropics, after maize and rice, establishing its fundamental importance in tropical food systems. This ranking reflects both current consumption patterns and future potential as demand for reliable carbohydrate sources continues growing.
The nutritional profile of cassava provides substantial energy density while offering additional nutrients often overlooked in discussions of staple crops. The calcium content is relatively high compared to that of other staple crops and ranges between 15 and 35 mg/100 grams, contributing to micronutrient intake in populations heavily dependent on cassava consumption.
Cassava is the third largest source of human food and animal feed carbohydrates in the tropics, after maize and rice, establishing its fundamental importance in tropical food systems. This ranking reflects both current consumption patterns and future potential as demand for reliable carbohydrate sources continues growing.
The nutritional profile of cassava provides substantial energy density while offering additional nutrients often overlooked in discussions of staple crops. The calcium content is relatively high compared to that of other staple crops and ranges between 15 and 35 mg/100 grams, contributing to micronutrient intake in populations heavily dependent on cassava consumption.
Processing and Value Addition
Modern cassava utilization extends far beyond traditional consumption methods, creating new opportunities for value addition and market development. Processing technologies enable conversion of fresh cassava into shelf-stable products including flour, starch, and various industrial applications. These processing capabilities reduce post-harvest losses while creating additional income opportunities throughout the value chain.
The development of improved processing techniques addresses traditional challenges associated with cassava consumption, particularly the need to remove natural toxins present in raw tubers. Cassava has to be prepared carefully for consumption, as improperly prepared material can contain sufficient cyanide to cause poisoning, making proper processing knowledge essential for safe utilization.
Modern cassava utilization extends far beyond traditional consumption methods, creating new opportunities for value addition and market development. Processing technologies enable conversion of fresh cassava into shelf-stable products including flour, starch, and various industrial applications. These processing capabilities reduce post-harvest losses while creating additional income opportunities throughout the value chain.
The development of improved processing techniques addresses traditional challenges associated with cassava consumption, particularly the need to remove natural toxins present in raw tubers. Cassava has to be prepared carefully for consumption, as improperly prepared material can contain sufficient cyanide to cause poisoning, making proper processing knowledge essential for safe utilization.
Environmental Considerations and Sustainability
Environmental Impact Assessment
While cassava offers substantial benefits for food security and climate adaptation, sustainable production requires careful attention to environmental impacts. Cassava farming can have severe environmental impacts, such as habitat destruction and soil degradation, if it is not carefully managed. Therefore, a wide range of agricultural and environmental outcomes should be considered when cassava farming practices are recommended as "good agricultural practices".
This recognition of potential negative impacts emphasizes the importance of developing sustainable intensification approaches that maximize productivity while minimizing environmental degradation. Research continues to identify farming practices that enhance yields while preserving soil health and biodiversity.
While cassava offers substantial benefits for food security and climate adaptation, sustainable production requires careful attention to environmental impacts. Cassava farming can have severe environmental impacts, such as habitat destruction and soil degradation, if it is not carefully managed. Therefore, a wide range of agricultural and environmental outcomes should be considered when cassava farming practices are recommended as "good agricultural practices".
This recognition of potential negative impacts emphasizes the importance of developing sustainable intensification approaches that maximize productivity while minimizing environmental degradation. Research continues to identify farming practices that enhance yields while preserving soil health and biodiversity.
Atmospheric Change Responses
Emerging research suggests cassava may benefit more than other crops from changing atmospheric conditions. Carbon dioxide fuels photosynthesis, the process by which plants generate their food in the form of carbohydrates. The atmosphere's carbon dioxide levels are rapidly increasing, but there is uncertainty about whether plants can turn these extra resources into higher yields while retaining nutritional quality.
Studies indicate cassava may effectively utilize increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, potentially providing yield advantages as atmospheric conditions continue changing. This characteristic, combined with drought tolerance, positions cassava favorably for future climate scenarios.
Emerging research suggests cassava may benefit more than other crops from changing atmospheric conditions. Carbon dioxide fuels photosynthesis, the process by which plants generate their food in the form of carbohydrates. The atmosphere's carbon dioxide levels are rapidly increasing, but there is uncertainty about whether plants can turn these extra resources into higher yields while retaining nutritional quality.
Studies indicate cassava may effectively utilize increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, potentially providing yield advantages as atmospheric conditions continue changing. This characteristic, combined with drought tolerance, positions cassava favorably for future climate scenarios.
Technological Innovations and Research Developments
Breeding and Genetic Improvement
Modern cassava improvement programs focus on developing varieties that combine high yield potential with enhanced nutritional quality, disease resistance, and climate adaptation characteristics. Biotechnology applications, including marker-assisted selection and genetic modification approaches, accelerate the development of improved varieties suited to twenty-first century challenges.
Research priorities include developing varieties with reduced cyanogenic glycoside content, enhanced vitamin A content, and improved processing characteristics. These improvements address both nutritional quality and utilization efficiency, expanding cassava's role in addressing malnutrition challenges.
Modern cassava improvement programs focus on developing varieties that combine high yield potential with enhanced nutritional quality, disease resistance, and climate adaptation characteristics. Biotechnology applications, including marker-assisted selection and genetic modification approaches, accelerate the development of improved varieties suited to twenty-first century challenges.
Research priorities include developing varieties with reduced cyanogenic glycoside content, enhanced vitamin A content, and improved processing characteristics. These improvements address both nutritional quality and utilization efficiency, expanding cassava's role in addressing malnutrition challenges.
Integrated Pest Management
Eco-friendly climate adaptation practices including organic manuring, planting of multiple crop types/improved crop varieties, and use of alternative fallowing enhanced cassava productivity whereas, crop diversification, multiple planting dates, and farming systems inhibited it. These findings guide the development of sustainable production systems that optimize both productivity and environmental outcomes.
Integrated approaches combine cultural practices, biological control methods, and selective chemical interventions to manage pests and diseases while maintaining ecological balance. These systems reduce input costs while enhancing long-term sustainability.
Eco-friendly climate adaptation practices including organic manuring, planting of multiple crop types/improved crop varieties, and use of alternative fallowing enhanced cassava productivity whereas, crop diversification, multiple planting dates, and farming systems inhibited it. These findings guide the development of sustainable production systems that optimize both productivity and environmental outcomes.
Integrated approaches combine cultural practices, biological control methods, and selective chemical interventions to manage pests and diseases while maintaining ecological balance. These systems reduce input costs while enhancing long-term sustainability.
Policy Implications and Development Strategies
Food Security Policy Integration
Cassava is considered as the future food security crop because of its biological efficiency coupled with ability to sustain climate change, making it a priority crop for food security policies and agricultural development programs. Government policies increasingly recognize cassava's strategic importance for national food security and rural development objectives.
Investment in cassava value chains requires coordinated approaches addressing production, processing, and marketing constraints. Infrastructure development, including storage facilities and processing equipment, enables smallholder farmers to capture greater value from cassava production while reducing post-harvest losses.
Cassava is considered as the future food security crop because of its biological efficiency coupled with ability to sustain climate change, making it a priority crop for food security policies and agricultural development programs. Government policies increasingly recognize cassava's strategic importance for national food security and rural development objectives.
Investment in cassava value chains requires coordinated approaches addressing production, processing, and marketing constraints. Infrastructure development, including storage facilities and processing equipment, enables smallholder farmers to capture greater value from cassava production while reducing post-harvest losses.
International Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing
The global nature of climate change challenges requires international cooperation in cassava research and development. The 300 scientists attending the second International Scientific Conference of the Global Cassava initiative demonstrates growing scientific collaboration focused on maximizing cassava's potential contributions to global food security.
Technology transfer programs facilitate the adoption of improved varieties and production practices across different regions, adapting successful innovations to local conditions and farming systems. These efforts accelerate the global adoption of cassava-based solutions to food security challenges.
The global nature of climate change challenges requires international cooperation in cassava research and development. The 300 scientists attending the second International Scientific Conference of the Global Cassava initiative demonstrates growing scientific collaboration focused on maximizing cassava's potential contributions to global food security.
Technology transfer programs facilitate the adoption of improved varieties and production practices across different regions, adapting successful innovations to local conditions and farming systems. These efforts accelerate the global adoption of cassava-based solutions to food security challenges.
Economic Development and Market Opportunities
Value Chain Development
Modern cassava production systems increasingly emphasize value chain integration, connecting smallholder producers with processing facilities and end markets. This integration creates opportunities for rural economic development while ensuring stable markets for cassava production.
Industrial applications of cassava continue expanding, including biofuel production, pharmaceutical applications, and various food processing uses. These diverse market opportunities provide multiple income streams for cassava producers while reducing market risk associated with dependence on traditional food markets.
Modern cassava production systems increasingly emphasize value chain integration, connecting smallholder producers with processing facilities and end markets. This integration creates opportunities for rural economic development while ensuring stable markets for cassava production.
Industrial applications of cassava continue expanding, including biofuel production, pharmaceutical applications, and various food processing uses. These diverse market opportunities provide multiple income streams for cassava producers while reducing market risk associated with dependence on traditional food markets.
Export Market Potential
Egypt is the only African country ranked among the top ten highest exporters of cassava in the world, indicating substantial potential for expanding African participation in global cassava trade. Developing export capabilities requires investment in post-harvest handling, quality standards, and marketing infrastructure.
Regional trade opportunities within Africa and Asia provide additional market outlets for cassava products, supporting rural income generation while contributing to regional food security objectives.
Egypt is the only African country ranked among the top ten highest exporters of cassava in the world, indicating substantial potential for expanding African participation in global cassava trade. Developing export capabilities requires investment in post-harvest handling, quality standards, and marketing infrastructure.
Regional trade opportunities within Africa and Asia provide additional market outlets for cassava products, supporting rural income generation while contributing to regional food security objectives.
Future Prospects and Challenges
Research Priorities and Innovation Needs
Future cassava development requires continued investment in research addressing yield enhancement, nutritional improvement, and climate adaptation. Priority areas include developing varieties adapted to changing climate conditions, improving processing technologies, and enhancing value chain efficiency.
Interdisciplinary approaches combining agronomy, plant breeding, food science, and economics provide comprehensive solutions to complex challenges facing cassava production systems. These integrated approaches ensure research outcomes address both technical and socioeconomic constraints limiting cassava adoption.
Future cassava development requires continued investment in research addressing yield enhancement, nutritional improvement, and climate adaptation. Priority areas include developing varieties adapted to changing climate conditions, improving processing technologies, and enhancing value chain efficiency.
Interdisciplinary approaches combining agronomy, plant breeding, food science, and economics provide comprehensive solutions to complex challenges facing cassava production systems. These integrated approaches ensure research outcomes address both technical and socioeconomic constraints limiting cassava adoption.
Scaling Up Success Stories
Successful cassava development programs demonstrate the potential for transformative impact on rural livelihoods and food security. Scaling up these successes requires understanding local contexts, adapting technologies to specific conditions, and ensuring adequate support systems for smallholder farmers.
Extension services, farmer training programs, and input supply systems provide essential support for adopting improved cassava production practices. These support systems must be sustained through public-private partnerships and international development cooperation.
Successful cassava development programs demonstrate the potential for transformative impact on rural livelihoods and food security. Scaling up these successes requires understanding local contexts, adapting technologies to specific conditions, and ensuring adequate support systems for smallholder farmers.
Extension services, farmer training programs, and input supply systems provide essential support for adopting improved cassava production practices. These support systems must be sustained through public-private partnerships and international development cooperation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Why is cassava considered the crop of the twenty-first century?
A: Cassava is considered the crop of the twenty-first century due to its exceptional drought tolerance, ability to grow on poor soils, and resilience to climate change. Global production has increased by 60% since 2000, and it's the third largest source of carbohydrates in the tropics after maize and rice, making it crucial for food security in an era of climate uncertainty.
A: Cassava is considered the crop of the twenty-first century due to its exceptional drought tolerance, ability to grow on poor soils, and resilience to climate change. Global production has increased by 60% since 2000, and it's the third largest source of carbohydrates in the tropics after maize and rice, making it crucial for food security in an era of climate uncertainty.
Q2: Which countries are the leading cassava producers and exporters?
A: Nigeria leads global production with 63 million tonnes in 2021, accounting for about 20% of world production. Thailand dominates exports with $1.29 billion in export value, while China leads imports at $1.48 billion. Egypt is the only African country among the top ten exporters globally.
A: Nigeria leads global production with 63 million tonnes in 2021, accounting for about 20% of world production. Thailand dominates exports with $1.29 billion in export value, while China leads imports at $1.48 billion. Egypt is the only African country among the top ten exporters globally.
Q3: What makes cassava particularly suitable for climate change adaptation?
A: Among major African food crops (including maize, sorghum, millet, beans, potatoes, and bananas), cassava is the least sensitive to climate conditions predicted by 2030. It's drought-resistant, can grow almost anywhere, tolerates both droughts and short-term flooding, and is not easily destroyed by heavy rains.
A: Among major African food crops (including maize, sorghum, millet, beans, potatoes, and bananas), cassava is the least sensitive to climate conditions predicted by 2030. It's drought-resistant, can grow almost anywhere, tolerates both droughts and short-term flooding, and is not easily destroyed by heavy rains.
Q4: What are the current yield potentials for cassava?
A: With improved varieties and good management practices, cassava can reach 20-25 tonnes per hectare. However, under prevalent farming methods, yields average only 9.9 tonnes per hectare worldwide. Climate-smart practices can improve yields by 13% through clean planting material, 17% through soil fertility enhancement, and 16% through improved pest control.
A: With improved varieties and good management practices, cassava can reach 20-25 tonnes per hectare. However, under prevalent farming methods, yields average only 9.9 tonnes per hectare worldwide. Climate-smart practices can improve yields by 13% through clean planting material, 17% through soil fertility enhancement, and 16% through improved pest control.
Q5: What are the main environmental concerns with cassava cultivation?
A: If not carefully managed, cassava farming can cause habitat destruction and soil degradation. However, eco-friendly adaptation practices including organic manuring, planting multiple crop types/improved varieties, and alternative fallowing can enhance productivity while maintaining environmental sustainability.
A: If not carefully managed, cassava farming can cause habitat destruction and soil degradation. However, eco-friendly adaptation practices including organic manuring, planting multiple crop types/improved varieties, and alternative fallowing can enhance productivity while maintaining environmental sustainability.
Q6: How does cassava contribute to food security globally?
A: Cassava feeds over 1 billion people worldwide and serves as a staple crop in many tropical countries. It's particularly important for vulnerable populations during food insecurity periods due to its reliability and storage characteristics. Its biological efficiency and climate resilience make it a future food security crop.
A: Cassava feeds over 1 billion people worldwide and serves as a staple crop in many tropical countries. It's particularly important for vulnerable populations during food insecurity periods due to its reliability and storage characteristics. Its biological efficiency and climate resilience make it a future food security crop.
Q7: What safety considerations are important for cassava consumption?
A: Cassava contains natural cyanogenic compounds and must be prepared carefully for consumption, as improperly prepared material can contain sufficient cyanide to cause poisoning. Both sweet and bitter varieties contain toxins, but bitter varieties have much higher concentrations requiring more extensive processing.
A: Cassava contains natural cyanogenic compounds and must be prepared carefully for consumption, as improperly prepared material can contain sufficient cyanide to cause poisoning. Both sweet and bitter varieties contain toxins, but bitter varieties have much higher concentrations requiring more extensive processing.
Q8: How might cassava respond to rising atmospheric CO2 levels?
A: Research suggests cassava may benefit more than other crops from increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Since CO2 fuels photosynthesis, cassava may effectively utilize these extra resources to achieve higher yields while potentially retaining nutritional quality better than other staple crops.
A: Research suggests cassava may benefit more than other crops from increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. Since CO2 fuels photosynthesis, cassava may effectively utilize these extra resources to achieve higher yields while potentially retaining nutritional quality better than other staple crops.
Q9: What are the main processing and value-addition opportunities for cassava?
A: Modern cassava utilization includes flour production, starch extraction, biofuel production, pharmaceutical applications, and various food processing uses. These diverse applications create multiple income streams for producers and reduce market risk while addressing post-harvest loss challenges.
A: Modern cassava utilization includes flour production, starch extraction, biofuel production, pharmaceutical applications, and various food processing uses. These diverse applications create multiple income streams for producers and reduce market risk while addressing post-harvest loss challenges.
Q10: What research and development priorities are most important for cassava?
A: Priority areas include developing climate-adapted varieties, improving nutritional quality (especially vitamin A content), reducing cyanogenic compound levels, enhancing processing characteristics, and developing integrated pest management systems. International scientific collaboration involves over 300 researchers working on these challenges.
A: Priority areas include developing climate-adapted varieties, improving nutritional quality (especially vitamin A content), reducing cyanogenic compound levels, enhancing processing characteristics, and developing integrated pest management systems. International scientific collaboration involves over 300 researchers working on these challenges.
Q11: What policy support is needed for cassava development?
A: Effective cassava development requires coordinated policies addressing production, processing, and marketing constraints. This includes infrastructure investment in storage and processing facilities, extension services, farmer training programs, and support for value chain integration connecting smallholders with markets.
A: Effective cassava development requires coordinated policies addressing production, processing, and marketing constraints. This includes infrastructure investment in storage and processing facilities, extension services, farmer training programs, and support for value chain integration connecting smallholders with markets.
Q12: What are the main challenges limiting cassava's potential?
A: Key challenges include low average yields compared to potential, limited processing infrastructure, post-harvest losses, market access constraints for smallholder farmers, and the need for proper processing knowledge to ensure food safety. Addressing these requires integrated approaches combining technology, policy, and market development.
A: Key challenges include low average yields compared to potential, limited processing infrastructure, post-harvest losses, market access constraints for smallholder farmers, and the need for proper processing knowledge to ensure food safety. Addressing these requires integrated approaches combining technology, policy, and market development.