Developing GM super cassava for improved health and food security: future challenges in Africa

Adenle, Ademola A.; Aworh, O. C.; Akromah, R.; Parayil, Govindan

doi:10.1186/2048-7010-1-11

Cited by 30 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…The annual production of cassava in all African countries is estimated to be 153 million tons in 2012 and the production in Nigeria, the leader in African cassava production, is estimated to be 57 million tons in the same year (FAO, ). The main crop produces in Burkina Faso is sorghum and the research on cassava for industrial use is still not significant comparatively to other countries (Johanna, ; Rusika, Mahun, Jumbo, Sandifolo, & Malindi, ; Ademola, Ogugua, & Parayil, ; Eke‐Okoro & Njoku, ; Michael et al., ). Research on cassava is still insufficient to provide significant number of improved cassava varieties for different uses (Oluwole, Onabolu, & Mtunda, ; Eke‐Okoro & Njoku, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Origins, production, and utilization of cassava in Burkina Faso, a contribution of a neglected crop to household food security

Flibert

Somé

Kabore

et al. 2016

Food Science & Nutrition

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In Burkina Faso, cassava has been introduced some decades ago.It used to be an adequate solution to household food security during food shortage period in some regions. The fermentation technology incorporated in the population's food habits is increasing cassava production and its utilization as food. This contributes to the development of cassava processing units. Cassava is now cultivated both during rainy season and dry season under irrigation. Several improved varieties are available and adapted to the national agroecological conditions and the processing technology. Attiéké is the most widely consumed cassava-based product in Burkina Faso. Its production contributes in generating incomes especially for women (Diacoumba, 2008). The aim of this study is to establish the origins of cassava varieties grown in Burkina Faso, to evaluate cassava variety knowledge and use, the state of its processing, and its contribution to household food security. | MATERIALS AND METHODSAn investigation was carried out in the main cassava production areas of Burkina Faso. The targeted regions were Center West, Cascades, Boucle du Mouhoun, Hauts Bassins, South West, and Center East.Cassava processing units and cassava producers were both the target of the investigation. About 226 farmers from 57 communities in the selected regions were involved in this investigation for cassava production and use of cassava by the households. The data were collected using a questionnaire by SphinxV5demo software. The questions included knowledge of cassava origin in the locality, cassava varieties used or known, the production level, cassava production challenges and opportunities, it family use, and the knowledge about cassava toxicity. For the industrial uses and cassava processing, another questionnaire was used. Eighteen processing units using cassava roots as raw material and located in Léo, Dédougou, Gaoua, Kampti, Orodara, and Bobo Dioulasso were surveyed. The required questions focused on the processing level and cassava-based products. The collected data were then analyzed with R statistical software for average determination variance and linear regression. The graphics are made with Excel (2010).Food security definition here used is base on the FAO (2012) recommendation of 2300 kcal per adult per day to evaluate the contribution of cassava to household food security. Food security status of households can then be expressed nationally as follows:where F secn = food security status of household n; X n = per capita calorie consumption of household n; Z n = recommended daily minimum energy requirement of 2,300 kcal.The contribution of cassava to family need is evaluated based on equation (3) of household needs: | RESULTS 3

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Origins, production, and utilization of cassava in Burkina Faso, a contribution of a neglected crop to household food security

Flibert

Somé

Kabore

et al. 2016

Food Science & Nutrition

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“…Factors such as highyielding, disease resistant and shorter growth-cycle varieties are important traits that will encourage farmers to adopt GM products in view of low crop productivity and other agronomic problems in this region. The important question raised by Adenle et al (2012) is: Can these traits be successfully incorporated into farmer preferred cultivars in view of disconnect between farmers and local scientists in Africa? Of course, failure to incorporate farmers local preferred cultivars may limit the adoption of GM technology in Ghana and Nigeria.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential benefits of genetic modification (GM) technology for food security and health improvement in West Africa: Assessing the perception of farmers in Ghana and Nigeria

Adenle¹,

Alhassan²,

Solomon³

2014

Afr. J. Biotechnol.

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We assessed the perception of farmers towards potential adoption of genetic modification (GM) technology for improving health, food security and agricultural productivity using a semi-structured interview. A total sample of 54 small-scale farmers participated in 6 focus group meetings (FGMs) and 23 in-depth interviews at six locations in Ghana and Nigeria (West Africa). Our results reveal that most farmers have a very poor understanding of GM technology which they often misunderstood as traditional plant breeding biotechnology. While most respondents focused on the potential benefits of GM technology including high-yielding varieties, better nutritional value and shorter growing cycle crop traits, only a few respondents were concerned about the potential health and environmental risks of GM technology. Root and tuber crops such as cassava, yam and sweet potato were mostly discussed for health improvement and food security through GM technology. This study emphasizes the need to recognize challenges such as lack of awareness, inadequate training, low level of education and poor extension services among others in introducing new technology including GM technology to resourcepoor farmers in African countries like Ghana and Nigeria. We conclude that failure to address these challenges will impede the adoption of GM technology. Therefore, Ghanaian and Nigerian government(s) must put in place policy measures to address these problems.

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“…Unlike conventional breeding, advanced biotechnology, namely genetic modification (GM) technology provides opportunity to transfer gene from organism to another or between species that cannot cross naturally (Adenle et al, 2012). This innovation broadens the potential sources of characteristics for improved varieties of crops that can withstand pests, diseases and environmental stresses.…”

Section: Biotechnologymentioning

confidence: 98%

Global assessment of technological innovation for climate change adaptation and mitigation in developing world

Adenle

Azadi

Arbiol

2015

Journal of Environmental Management

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Developing GM super cassava for improved health and food security: future challenges in Africa

Cited by 30 publications

References 49 publications

Origins, production, and utilization of cassava in Burkina Faso, a contribution of a neglected crop to household food security

Origins, production, and utilization of cassava in Burkina Faso, a contribution of a neglected crop to household food security

Potential benefits of genetic modification (GM) technology for food security and health improvement in West Africa: Assessing the perception of farmers in Ghana and Nigeria

Global assessment of technological innovation for climate change adaptation and mitigation in developing world

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