IITA and the Zambian government strategize to fight cassava diseases threats in the country

Participants at the meeting

The “Mitigating Cassava Diseases Threats for Improved Cassava production in Zambia, with a Special focus on Eastern Province” is a four-year project under the “Feed the Future Program,” research-for- development (R4D) component sponsored by USAID-Zambia mission.
   The project, implemented by IITA in collaboration with the government’s  research wings, i.e., Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) and Seeds Control and Certification Institute (SCCI) has reached half of its lifespan. The strategizing was done during the project’s second annual review/planning meeting held in Chipata from 4 to 6 September 2013. The meeting attracted the participation of implementing partners (ZARI, SCCI, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL), farmers and NGOs such as ADRA) and other stakeholders with interests in Zambia’s cassava sector.
   The meeting was officially opened by Mr Kennedy Kanenga in his capacity as acting Provincial Agriculture Coordinator (PACO). Mr Kanenga reiterated the importance of Zambia’s crop diversification policy. He mentioned that cassava has been recognized by the Zambian government as a strategic crop for food security hence the need for continued research to mitigate any adverse effects which might hamper its production potential. In conclusion, Mr Kanenga informed participants that the meeting received the blessings of both the donor (USAID) and the government through his office.
   Implementing partners shared reports on the activities carried out during the period under review and presented planned activities for the fiscal year 2013/2014.
   For the two consecutive years, no folia cassava brown streak diseases symptoms have been observed. However the 2013 survey showed higher incidences of white fly population compared to the 2012 survey. The white fly is the major vector for CBSD virus and other viro-diseases. The diagnostic survey team was concerned over the recent reports of CBSD occurrences near Zambian’s northern border. This was compounded by the fact that earlier this year (2013), superabundant whiteflies with sooty mold symptoms were observed in Mambwe district of Eastern province during routine data collection in the participatory variety selection (PVS) cassava trials.
   During the field visit, participants exchanged views with farmers that host the PVS on how to increase cassava acreage and suggested ways on how to minimize the effect of animals’ damage during dry season when other crops have been harvested and only cassava remains in the fields. The forum was used to come up with strategies to contain the worrisome situation of disease threats.

Youth concept excites top USAID officials

IITA youths and USAID officials

The Director, Office of Agricultural Research and Policy, Bureau for Food Security USAID, Dr Rob Bertram; and the Senior Agricultural Specialist, Economic Growth and Environment Office USAID Nigeria, Howard Batson, paid a 3-day courtesy visit to the institute between 14–16 July 2013. The delegation visited the Youth Agripreneurs office and listened to presentations about the group’s history, achievements, plans, etc. Both were impressed with the Agripreneur concept and commended the IITA Management for the initiative. Howard wrote in the visitors’ log: “Great potential waiting to take off,” while Dr Bertram had this to say: “Very exciting to see young people engaged in agribusiness development.”

From poor man's meat to rich man's health supplement?

Research on the antioxidant and health properties of cowpea by scientists are beginning to show promise.

Cowpea and other legumes are a major source of protein, particularly for the poor, hence they are often called the poor man's meat. However, new research indicates that cowpea has the potential to combat diet-related health risks more commonly associated with wealthy populations such as heart disease, diabetes and other “lifestyle” health risks.

A new project led by Texas A&M University and funded by USAID-CRISP with research partners in Zambia, Kenya and South Africa is looking into the potential for cowpea to help prevent cancers and other cardiovascular diseases not only in Africa, but globally. This is the first project of its kind involving cowpeas of which Africa is a key producer.

"The problem is that we do not consume and promote foods that are rich in antioxidants, especially in Africa where diets are typically basic and monotonous, particularly among the poor," said Dr. Joseph Awika, the lead investigator of the project. "Additionally rich people once they get a bit of money graduate to the foods that are typically high in sugars and fat and very low in health-promoting components like antioxidants".

Antioxidants are substances that protect body cells against the effects of free radicals which are molecules produced when the body breaks down food or by environmental exposure to tobacco smoke and radiation. Free radicals can damage cells and contribute to heart disease and cancer.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 16.7 million total global deaths - result from the various forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD), many of which are preventable by acting on unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and smoking. WHO says more than 50% of the deaths and disability from heart disease and strokes kill more than 12 million people each year with 80 percent of them in developing countries.

Dr. Awika said the next step for the project would be to use human cell models in a laboratory to get quick, reliable data on biochemical properties of cowpea components. Then the next step would involve animal models fed cowpea-based products to measure specific outcomes which would lead to larger human intervention studies.

"Based on the limited evidence we have cowpea can be an important health food in the future," said Dr. Awika. "We are at the screening phase where we have used simple rapid tests to screen over 70 samples to select specific lines to focus on for a more detailed study."

- Busani Bafana