|
|
|
| Author: | M. A-AS-Saqui |
Abstract:
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is second to rice as the most important food crop in Liberia and plays a significant role in the farming system.
Together with sweet potato, it supplies the population with more than 25% of their daily caloric intake.
Besides the roots, the leaves are consumed extensively as vegetables.
The Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) of the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria, initiated a national roots crops program giving top priority to cassava improvement in 1979. The objectives of the program were to: increase the quantity and improve the quality of cassava and transfer of production, processing, and utilization packages to farmers with financial support of the International Development Research Center (IDRC), Ottawa, Canada.
The dissemination of improved production, processing, and utilization technologies to farmers is achieved in various ways.
These include training, organized farmers field days, and media communication in collaboration with the research extension liaison unit of CARI as well as the extension services of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Besides systematic research on varietal development, agronomic trials, processing, and utilization studies of CARI, the program conducts multi-locations and onfarm trials in various selected locations on fields of motivated and pilot farmers throughout the country.
It has also established close linkage with various agricultural and rural development projects, institutes, and extension services of the Ministry of Agriculture for multiplication distribution of planting materials, and the diffusion of technology to farmers.
|
  
|