Progress towards a global strategy for cassava development. (111)

Abstract

The development of the Global Cassava Development Strategy was initiated in 1996 at a 'brainstorming' meeting convened by the International Fund for Agricultural Development. Cassava was recognized by the meeting as a food security and commercial crop that lends itself to a commodity-approach to poverty alleviation, given the close connection between the poverty level in many parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and the role of cassava in the cropping and food systems in these areas. However, in order to recognise and meet the full potential of this crop, a Global Strategy was considered necessary. The Global Strategy requires a coalition of stakeholders including cassava producers and their organizations, Governments, the donor community, technical and research agencies and their networks, non-governmental organizations and their networks, and the private sector in order to achieve the objectives of the strategy. The Strategy is being developed from a number of country case studies and regional reviews. A review workshop was held in June 1997. A Forum of representatives of all stakeholders will be held in 1998 to ratify the final strategy and develop a plan for its implementation.