Although these crops have been for centuries the traditional staples in many developing countries they have until recently been relatively neglected by most national research institutes, extension services and by food supply planners. While part of this neglect can be attributed to difficulties in marketing and processing these perishable food crops, they have also suffered from a negative image as "poor people's food ". Starchy roots and tubers, such as cassava, have been traditionally associated poverty and accused of being a factor contributing to the development of kwashiorkor, a form of severe protein energy malnutrition. Since most of these food crops are consumed locally or sold in nearby small markets their actual contribution to the energy intake of rural populations producing them is not fully accounted for. Their consumption in urban areas is far from negligible, especially in Africa and in Asia. This is why it is time to bring out the positive attributes of these important foods and the increased contribution they can make to the nutritional welfare and food security of developing countries. In this book the value of roots, tubers, plantains and bananas in human nutrition and their importance in human diet is reviewed. The purpose of this book is to promote their production and utilization as valuable components of a well-balanced diet, and to alleviate hunger and seasonal food shortages.