Cassava is widely grown and consumed in western and coastal regions of Kenya, where it is a major staple food. In these regions, the major challenge to production is diseases, the main ones being cassava brown streak and cassava mosaic diseases. In other parts of the country, such as central Kenya, cassava production and consumption is limited due to misconceptions and availability of maize and other root and tuber crops such as Irish potatoes. Cassava is an important food-security crop that has been a source of income for farmers in many regions. Last month you asked the Kenyan government to approve Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) resistant Cassava Line 4046, which can protect farmers of this important crop from devastating losses.

Source: Daily Nation June 12, 2020 19:52 UTC