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Expanding utilization of roots, tubers and bananas and reducing their postharvest losses

Project Introduction

Roots, Tubers and Bananas crops are an important source of food and income in most developing countries. In Sub Saharan Africa, the crops are a major staple providing 20% of calorific requirements and constituting nearly two thirds of per capita food production. However, their full potential to contribute towards food and income security has not yet been realized due to a number of challenges, including bulkiness and high perishability of the crops, poor postharvest management and lack of storage and processing facilities. These challenges lead to high postharvest losses, short and direct marketing channels and limited value adding. It is widely recognized that there is considerable scope for repositioning RTB as added value cash crops through improved postharvest management, expanding processing and targeting changing needs of emerging urban market.

Expanding utilization of roots, tubers and bananas and reducing their postharvest losses (RTB-ENDURE), a 3 year project (2014-2016) implemented by the CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas with funding by the European Union and technical support of IFAD, aims at addressing these challenges and opportunities.