In Zambia, smallholder cassava farmers in the Nsama District of the Northern Province have achieved success after planting clean cassava cuttings, free from Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD). This initiative, part of a collaboration between CABI and the Zambian Ministry of Agriculture, aims to safeguard cassava crops from CBSD, which poses a significant threat to the country's food security and agricultural economy. As of February 2023, 70% of the participating farmers reported healthy crops, indicating a promising advancement in combating the disease.
Following comprehensive training by CABI, in partnership with the Seed Control and Certification Institute (SCCI) and other local agricultural bodies, 16 cassava seed growers have produced crops meeting the SCCI's certification standards for disease-free status. This certification allows for the distribution of virus-free cassava cuttings to other farmers, promoting healthier cassava production across Zambia.
The initiative also involves support from Itabwa Investments, which provides resources such as tractors and anti-termite products to enhance cassava cultivation. This effort comes in response to CBSD's significant impact on Zambia's cassava production, with losses estimated at 55% of total production, equating to over US $500,000 in monetary terms. The successful cultivation of disease-free cassava cuttings represents a crucial step towards mitigating CBSD's effects and ensuring the availability of clean planting materials for farmers.
Source: cabi.org