Kenyan scientists develop improved cassava varieties

In efforts to improve cassava production in Kenya as well as promote an alternative food crop in the face of the declining maize production, the country's staple food, scientists at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization have developed high-yielding, drought and disease-resistant cassava varieties.

The varieties were developed using Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics technology, which involves the use of modified soil that holds plant roots in planting pots with little water.

The soil transports the moisture to the plant roots, with the top of the soil remaining relatively dry. This allows the production of cassava seeds that are pests and disease-resistant.

Godwin Macharia, a scientist in charge of food crops and research at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, said the new cassava variety dubbed Variety KME-08-02, or locally as Tajirika, can double farmers' yields by halving the maturity period from 24 months to a year.

"One of the most devastating diseases facing cassava farmers in Kenya is the cassava brown streak disease. We consider it one of Kenya's most dangerous plant diseases due to its significant impact on food and economic security," Macharia said.

"The cassava variety that we have developed is resistant to the disease and could considerably improve the crop's ability to feed Africa while generating income for smallholder farmers."

He said the variety has the potential to yield up to 50 metric tons per hectare compared to 11 metric tons per hectare when using the local cassava varieties.

Macharia pointed out that since the research began in 2020, the first batch of 2,000 farmers from the coastal region received the improved seeds in 2022 as part of the trials.

This saw Kenya's cassava production grow by more than 150,000 metric tons in 2023 compared to the previous year.

Macharia said the production is set to improve further in the coming years once farmers in Western Kenya start receiving the improved seeds.

They also plan to introduce the crop to areas that traditionally do not grow cassava to improve production.

"Once the majority of farmers adopt the improved cassava seeds in the country, we believe Kenya's production will triple due to increased yields per hectare coupled with the fact that the improved cassava matures in half the time it takes for the traditional varieties to mature," he said.

Macharia termed multiplying and disseminating new cassava varieties to farmers as the key challenge to breeders and scientists. This is because cassava is a clonal crop whose multiplication is done using stems and this process can take several years to reach most farmers.

However, the Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics technology currently being used makes it easier and faster to propagate new seeds, hence easily accessible to farmers.

Patience Khasoa, a Kenyan environmental consultant said cassava production can promote food security among rural populations in Kenya.

As a cassava advocate, she works with local farmers by providing specialized expertise and advisory services related to cassava cultivation, processing, and value chain development.

"When it comes to cultivation, Kenyan cassava farmers need to identify and promote high-yielding and disease-resistant cassava varieties suitable for Kenyan agroecological zones. This should introduce improved varieties that have desirable traits such as disease and drought tolerance and early maturity," Khasoa said.

"The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service must also establish and strengthen community-based seed systems to ensure farmers have access to high-quality planting material. We need to promote the use of certified planting material to reduce the spread of diseases."

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