I suggest that you investigate the poverty alleviation and food security research and development efforts that have been introduced by the agriculture engineers at the University of Cordoba in Monteria, Cordoba, Colombia. These engineers have successfully studied how to produce more cassava and white yams (Discorea) using better planting techniques in much the same manner as Cornell University studied how more rice could be grown using the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). Once the techniques for increasing the yield of cassava and white yams were perfected, each of the ten agriculture engineering professors at the university introduced these techniques in one to three municipals in the Department of Cordoba with the help of their agriculture engineering students (there are 30 municipals in Cordoba). Many classes have been given. The additional cassava and white yams are used for both human consumption and for animal feed by the poorest farmers in the Department of Cordoba. In particular, the cassava foliage is being used to increase pig production in the region. The poorest farmers in the Department of Cordoba are now producing more of a high value food commodity and earning additional income. This is a major change for the lives of these farmers. The ownership of animals is a way for the poorest farmers to dramatically increase their income.
See articles “Research on Cassava Foliage Production in Colombia” by Bernardo Ospina, Luis Fernando Cadavid, Jorge Luis Gil, and Álvaro Andrés Albán;
“Cassava Crop Development in Colombia” by Alvaro Balcázar B., Hernán A. Mansilla A., Santafé de Bogotá DC.
See first three case studies in book “Adding Value to Root and Tuber Crops: A Manual on Product Development” (pages 119 to 128).
Paul V. Rigterink, PhD
United States of America
Paul V. Rigterink