What is Cassava?
Cassava (Manihot esculenta)
is one of the most important crops for millions of farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa.
It provides food security and income for families living in rural areas.
A resilient crop
Cassava is well-suited to grow in poor soils and under unpredictable rainfall, making it especially valuable in regions affected by climate change. It is drought-tolerant, needs few external inputs, and can remain in the ground for months until needed – giving farmers vital flexibility.
A vital source of calories
Cassava’s starchy roots are a major source of energy in many diets. It can be:
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boiled, fried or steamed as a staple food,
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or processed into traditional products like gari, fufu, or cassava flour.
Even the leaves can be cooked and eaten, adding nutritional value.
An economic backbone
Cassava is not just food – it’s also a cash crop. Farmers sell it fresh or processed at local markets. Increasingly, cassava is also used in industry, for:
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animal feed
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bioethanol production
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starch-based products
Why Cassava is so Important
Cassava grows well even in poor soils and with little rain.
It survives in tough conditions where many other crops fail.
Because of this, small farmers — often with less than 2 acres of land — rely on cassava roots as a daily food source.
Cassava is full of calories and carbohydrates.
Families can harvest cassava throughout the year, making it easier to plan food and income.
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More Than Just Food
Farmers don’t only eat cassava.
They also turn it into products like:
•Gari (a type of dried cassava)
•Flour
•Starch
These products are sold in local and regional markets, helping farmers earn extra money.
Cassava in Africa
Africa grows almost 60% of the world’s cassava.
The biggest producers are:
• Nigeria
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Ghana
• Tanzania
However, African farmers still get low yields — usually only 8–12 tons per hectare, compared to 20–25 tons in Southeast Asia.
Global cassava production in 2022. Data from FAOSTAT database and figure from OurWorldinData.org/agricultural-production.
Why Higher Yields Matter
If African farmers could double their cassava harvests, it would change many lives.
It would mean:
• More food for families
• Higher incomes for farmers
• Lower costs to grow cassava
• More jobs in processing industries
• Better protection against climate problems
What Is Being Done
Several projects are working to improve cassava farming:
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New cassava types that resist diseases and give higher yields
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Farmer training in better planting and farming methods
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Machines to help with planting and harvesting
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Support for businesses that turn cassava into valuable products like flour, starch, and bioethanol
Cassava is not just a crop — it is a way to build stronger, healthier communities.
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