Paper 3: Importance of root crops in Africa

by
Mr. François Ngopya, FAO Statistician/SAFR

Summary

Introduction

African countries contribute roughly 23% to the world production of root and tuber crops (primary crops). The main root and tubers crops produced in Africa are:

• Cassava (53% of the world production), followed by Asia (29%) and South America (17%);

• Yams (96% of the world production);

• Sweetpotatoes (7%), the main producer being Asia (91% of the world production);

• Potatoes (4% of the world production), the main producers being Asia (37%), and the rest of the world (55%);

• Other root crops (70%), followed by Asia (20% of the world production).

In terms of contribution to calorie supply, the importance of root, tubers and derived products crops (all production included and converted into primary product equivalent) is small, compared to the contribution of cereals. The contribution of root and tuber crops to the world supply of calories is only 5% compared to 48% for cereals and 46% for other food. In Africa, root and tuber crops contribute 14% to the calorie supply as compared to 51% for cereals and 37% for other food, while in South America roots and tubers contribute 5% and in Asia only 4% to the calorie supply.

The estimation of production of root and tuber crops raises a number of problems, especially the estimation of the cassava production. First, the estimation of the area under cultivation of cassava depends on the variety. Some varieties of cassava can be harvested after one year; in this case, the estimation of the production is relatively easy. However, in many countries, the harvest can extend over three years or more, and therefore the estimation of the production is difficult. Secondly, the concept of the cassava production is not the same in all countries. The statistics provided depend on the way the cassava is consumed. In some countries, the cassava is consumed as fresh boiled roots, while in other countries it is consumed in form of meal, after long processing. In some statistical publications, there is no specification of the data presented i.e. raw cassava or cassava meal and the comparison of data thus becomes difficult.

Importance of root and tuber crops in Africa

In Africa, roots and tubers are generally grown in countries located in the Sub-Saharan zones, notably in Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, D.R.C, Tanzania, Mozambique, Angola, Uganda, Malawi, Madagascar and Rwanda. In Africa, roughly 40% of all root and tuber crops are produced by Nigeria and followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC (10%), Ghana (8%), Tanzania (4%), Uganda (5%), Mozambique (3%), Angola (3%) and Côte d'Ivoire (3%).

Cassava is produced mostly by Nigeria (35%), followed by D.R.C (17%), Ghana (9%), Tanzania (6%), Mozambique (6%), Angola (5%) and Uganda (5%). Yam is produced mainly by Nigeria (71%), Ghana (9%), Côte d'Ivoire (8%), Benin (5%) and the rest of Africa (7%). Sweetpotatoe is produced by Nigeria (24%), followed by Uganda (23%), Rwanda (10%), Tanzania (8%) and Madagascar (5%) and rest of Africa (29%). Potatoes (Irish potatoes) are produced by Malawi (16%), followed by Rwanda (8%) and Uganda (4%). The other African countries produce 72%. Other root and tuber crops generally produced in Africa are taro and cocoyams. The largest producer is Nigeria (35%), followed by Ghana (14%), Cameroon (5%) and Côte d'Ivoire (3%). The other countries in Africa produce 43% of the total.

In terms of contribution of roots, tubers and derived products to calorie requirements, it should be noted that root and tuber crops contribute more than 600 calories per caput per day in the following countries: Angola, DRC, Congo-Brazzaville, Central African Republic, Mozambique, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Rwanda, Togo and Benin. It is interesting to note that, although Nigeria is the largest producer of root and tuber crops in Africa, the contribution of these crops to calorie requirements is not the highest among the concerned countries (about 570). This can be explained by the great variety of sources of calories that are available in Nigeria.

In conclusion, we can note that cassava is the most important root crop in Africa, but it is also the crop for which a sound methodology for estimation of the production does not exist.

Résumé

Introduction

La contribution des pays africains dans la production mondiale de plantes-racines et tubercules (production primaire) est estimée à environ 24%. Les principales cultures produites en Afrique sont:

• le manioc: 53% de la production mondiale, devant l'Asie (28%) et l'Amérique du Sud (17%);

• l'igname: 96% de la production mondiale;

• la patate douce: 7%, le principal producteur étant l'Asie avec 91% de la production mondiale;

• la pomme de terre: 4% de la production mondiale, derrière l'Asie (37%) et le reste du monde (55%);

• autres plantes-racines et tubercules: 70%, devant l'Asie (20%).

En termes d'apport calorique, l'importance des plantes-racines, tubercules et produits dérivés (toute production confondue, exprimée en équivalent de produits primaires) est faible, par comparaison avec celle des céréales par exemple. Leur contribution n'est que de 5% au niveau mondial contre 48% pour les céréales et 46% pour les autres denrées alimentaires. En Afrique, les plantes-racines et tubercules représentent 14% de l'apport calorique alors que la contribution des céréales et des autres denrées est estimée à 51% et 37% respectivement. En Amérique du Sud, la part d'apport calorique des plantes-racines et tubercules s'établit à 6% et en Asie, à 4% seulement.

L'estimation de la production de plantes-racines et tubercules soulève un certain nombre de problèmes, en particulier pour le manioc. D'une part, l'estimation de la superficie sous manioc dépend de la variété de semence utilisée. Certaines variétés peuvent être récoltées au bout d'une année, auquel cas l'estimation de la production est relativement facile à réaliser. Par contre, dans certains pays, la récolte peut couvrir trois années ou plus, ce qui complique l'opération. D'autre part, le concept de production de manioc diffère et les statistiques produites varient selon le mode de consommation. Dans certains pays, le manioc se consomme comme une racine fraîchement bouillie; dans d'autres, sous forme de farine après un long processus de transformation. En outre, certaines publications statistiques ne précisent pas si les chiffres mentionnés concernent le manioc cru ou la farine de manioc, d'où la difficulté de comparer les données.

Importance des plantes-racines et tubercules en Afrique

En Afrique, les plantes-racines et tubercules sont généralement cultivées dans les pays subsahariens, notamment dans les pays suivants: Nigéria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Bénin, Cameroun, République centrafricaine, République Démocratique du Congo (RDC), Tanzanie, Mozambique, Angola, Uganda, Malawi, Madagascar et Rwanda. Le premier producteur africain est le Nigéria (environ 40% de la production), ce pays devançant la République démocratique du Congo (10%), le Ghana (8%), la Tanzanie (4%), le Mozambique (3%), l'Uganda (5%) et la Côte d'Ivoire (3%).

Le manioc est principalement produit au Nigéria (35%), les autres grands producteurs étant la RDC (17%), le Ghana (9%), la Tanzanie (6%), le Mozambique (6%) l'Uganda (5%) et l'Angola (5%). Pour ce qui est de la production d'igname, le Nigéria se situe au premier rang (71%) devant le Ghana (9%), la Côte d'Ivoire (8%), le Bénin (5%) et le reste de l'Afrique (7%). Le premier producteur africain de patate douce est également le Nigéria (24%), suivi de l'Uganda (23%) du Rwanda (10%), de la Tanzanie (8%) et de Madagascar (5%). La production du reste de l'Afrique représente 29%. La pomme de terre est surtout produite au Malawi (17%), au Rwanda (8%), et en Uganda (4%). L'ensemble des autres pays produise globalement 72% de la production totale. Les autres plantes-racines généralement produites en Afrique sont le taro et la colocasse. Le plus gros de la production est assurée par le Nigéria (35%), le Ghana (14%), le Cameroun (5%) et la Côte d'Ivoire (3%). Les autres pays totalisent 43% de la production totale africain.

Concernant la contribution des plantes-racines, tubercules et produits dérivés aux besoins en calories, on relève que celles-ci représentent environ 600 calories/par personne/par jour dans les pays suivants: Angola, RDC, Congo-Brazaville, République centrafricaine, Mozambique, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Rwanda, Togo et Bénin. Il est intéressant de noter que si le Nigéria est le principal producteur de plantes-racines en Afrique, la contribution de ces denrées aux besoins en calories dans ce pays n'est pas la plus importante parmi les pays concernés (environ 570). Cela peut s'expliquer par la grande variété des sources de calories disponibles au Nigéria et par le fait que les plantes-racines et tubercules ne constituent pas la plus importante de ces sources.

En conclusion, on notera que le manioc est la principale plante-racine en Afrique mais qu'il n'existe pas de méthodologie fiable pour l'estimation de la production de cette denrée.

1. Introduction^[2]

African countries contribute roughly 23% to the world production of root and tuber crops (primary crops). The main root and tubers crops produced in Africa are:

• Cassava (53% of the world production), followed by Asia (29%) and South America (17%);

• Yams (96% of the world production);

• Sweetpotatoes (7%), the main producer being Asia (91% of the world production);

• Potatoes (4% of the world production), the main producers being Asia (37%), and the rest of the world (55%);

• Other root crops (70%), followed by Asia (20% of the world production).

Fig 1: Production of root and tuber crops (in % of the total world production)

In terms of contribution to calorie supply, the importance of root, tubers and derived products crops (all production included and converted into primary product equivalent) is small, compared to the contribution of cereals. The contribution of root and tuber crops to the world supply of calories is only 5% compared to 48% for cereals and 46% for other food. In Africa, the root and tuber crops contribute 14% to the calorie supply as compared to 51% for cereals and 37% for other food, while in South America the roots and tubers contribute 5% and in Asia only 4% to the calorie supply.

In terms of contribution to calorie supply, the importance of root, tubers and derived products crops (all production included and converted into primary product equivalent) is small, compared to the contribution of cereals. The contribution of root and tuber crops to the world supply of calories is only 5% compared to 48% for cereals and 46% for other food. In Africa, the root and tuber crops contribute 14% to the calorie supply as compared to 51% for cereals and 37% for other food, while in South America the roots and tubers contribute 5% and in Asia only 4% to the calorie supply.

The Map in Fig. 2 below shows the importance of the world supply of calories from root crops.

Fig 2: World Root crop supply of Calorie

The estimation of production of root and tuber crops raises a number of problems, especially the estimation of the cassava production. First, the estimation of the area under cultivation of cassava depends on the variety. Some varieties of cassava can be harvested after one year; in this case, the estimation of the production is relatively easy. However, in many countries, the harvest can extend over three years or more, and therefore the estimation of the production is difficult. Secondly, the concept of the cassava production is not the same in all countries. The statistics provided depend on the way the cassava is consumed. In some countries, the cassava is consumed as fresh boiled roots, while in other countries it is consumed in form of meal, after long processing. In some statistical publications, there is no specification of the data presented e.g. raw (wet) cassava, dried cassava or cassava meal and the comparison of data thus becomes difficult.

2. Importance of root and tuber crops in Africa

In Africa, roots and tubers are generally grown in countries located in the Sub-Saharan zones, notably in Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, D.R.C, Tanzania, Mozambique, Angola, Uganda, Malawi, Madagascar and Rwanda. In Africa, roughly 40% of root and tuber crops are produced by Nigeria and followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, DRC (10%), Ghana (8%), Tanzania (4%), Mozambique (3%), Uganda (5%) and Côte d'Ivoire (3%). Fig 3 below shows the importance of the production of root and tuber crops in Africa.

Fig 3: Production of roots and tubers in Africa (1000 Mt)

Cassava is produced mostly by Nigeria (35%), followed by D.R.C (17%), Ghana (9%), Tanzania (6%), Mozambique (6%), Angola (5%) and Uganda (5%) as shown in Fig 4 below.

Fig 4: Production of Cassava in Africa (1000 Mt)

Yam is produced mainly by Nigeria (71%), Ghana (9%), Côte d'Ivoire (8%), Benin (5%) and the rest of Africa (7%) as shown in Fig 5 below.

Fig 5: Yam production in Africa (1000 Mt)

Sweetpotatoe is produced by Nigeria (24%), followed by Uganda (23%), Rwanda (10%), Tanzania (8%) and Madagascar (5%) and rest of Africa (29%). The distribution of the production of sweetpotatoes in Africa is shown in Fig 6 below.

Fig 6: Production of sweetpotatoes in Africa (1000 Mt)

Potatoes (Irish potatoes) are produced by Malawi (16%), followed by Rwanda (8%) and Uganda (4%). All other countries in Africa produce 72% as shown in Fig 7 below.

Fig 7: Production of potatoes in Africa

Other root and tuber crops generally produced in Africa are taro and cocoyams. The largest producer is Nigeria (35%), followed by Ghana (14%), Cameroon (5%) and Côte d'Ivoire (3%). All other African countries produce 43% as shown in Fig 8 below.

Fig 8: Production of other roots and tubers in Africa (1000 Mt)

In terms of contribution of roots, tubers and derived products to calorie requirements, it should be noted that root and tuber crops contribute more than 600 calories per caput per day in the following countries: Angola, DRC, Congo-Brazzaville, Central African Republic, Mozambique, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Rwanda, Togo and Benin as shown in the map of Fig 9 below. It is interesting to note that, although Nigeria is the largest producer of root and tuber crops in Africa, the contribution of these crops to calorie requirements is not the highest among the concerned countries (about 570). This can be explained by the great variety of sources of calories that are available in Nigeria. It is also important to note that calculation of calories is based on the total food supply, taking into consideration the commodity balances (imports, exports, stock changes, other use, etc. see table 2).

Fig. 9: Calorie supply from root and tuber crops in Africa

In conclusion, we can note that, cassava is the most important root crop in Africa, as shown by Fig 10 & 11 below. In the meantime, it is also the root crop for which a sound methodology for estimation of the production does not exist. It is hoped that the Expert consultation will pay special attention to the methodology of estimation of the production of cassava.

Fig 10: Production of roots and tubers in Africa (1000 Mt)

Fig 11: Calorie supply by root and tubers in Africa (in %)

Table 1: Production of roots and tubers-Year 2000

World and Selected African countries (crops primary) - (1000 Mt)

Table 2: Cal/Cap/Day from roots and tubers - Year 2000

(crops primary equivalent, after aggregation/standardization - ref. commodity balances)

World and selected African countries with more than 200 cal/caput/day