Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
To boost the role of cassava as food security and biofuel crop, there is need for increased research
to improve and stabilize yields by developing genetic resistance to major pests and diseases. More
efforts toward collection and conservation of diverse genetic stocks will help combating insects
and diseases by providing sources of genetic resistance and tolerance. Pest- and disease-resistance
traits can be easily introgressed into cultivated genotypes by traditional and molecular breeding
approaches. Global organizations such as FAO, CIAT, and IITA are actively advocating for cas-
sava crop improvement, and effective utilization of biological control agents for mealy bug and
green mite controls in Africa are two examples of such global efforts. Global collaborative and
conservation efforts will help preserve the natural diversity of cassava, enhance the development of
high-yielding disease- and pest-resistant varieties, and improve crop management and postharvest
practices while avoiding duplicated efforts. To bring the fruits of these global collaborations to
farmers, multiplication and distribution of the improved cassava vegetative stocks should be taken
up by local, national, and international government agencies.
Cultivation of transgenic crops is rapidly spreading across the world. Accessibility of novel trans-
genic technology at a nominal licensing fee from commercial and academic institutions around the
world to researchers would enhance the current crop improvement efforts and crop returns from
cassava. Increased investment and international collaboration in global cassava research will defi-
nitely help meet the global food and biofuel demand at a rapid pace.
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