Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa

VIRCA Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa A humanitarian project aimed at enhancing food security in Africa, by working to develop cassava varieties with resistance to devastating viruses and deliver them to smallholder farmers. Cassava serves as a primary source of calories for more than 250 Million people living in sub-Saharan Africa who eat it as often as 2 - 3X a day. It grows well in poor soils with little rainfall. Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) Poses a serious threat to cassava production Each year, farmers lose at least 30% of their crop to CMD. More than 7 million people living around Lake Victoria are at risk of famine because of CBSD. Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) Can be responsible for a complete loss of the harvest. This virus is such a serious threat to cassava Tubers can be left in the production, that transport of cassava cuttings has been banned in Uganda and Tanzania to prevent further spread of the disease. ground for up to 3 years. If drought or disease kills off other crops, people can still eat cassava. Roots are processed into a wide variety of granules, pastes, flours, etc. or consumed freshly boiled or raw VIRCA-II is a collaboration between researchers at the Danforth Plant Science Center, the National Crop Resources Research Institute, in Uganda, and the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute. The average Cassava production of farmers in Africa is about 9.5 tons per acre ****** At 15 tons/acre farmers will be self-sufficient in providing food for their families At 20 tons/acre farmers can afford to send their children to school and put money in the bank, perhaps buy a house **** ********* The Virus Resistant Cassava in Africa (VIRCA) project is supported by funds contributed by USAID from the American people, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Buffett Foundation and the Monsanto Fund.