AfDB to invest $120 million to boost cassava, others.

AfDB to invest $120 million to boost cassava, others.In the next 2-3 years, the African Development Bank (AfDB) will be investing $120 million to increase productivity and transform cassava and other commodities on the continent. Dr. Martin Fregene, Director for Agriculture at AfDB, who made this known at the Fourth International conference on cassava, organized by the Global Cassava Partnerships for the 21st Century (GCP21), In Cotonou, Republic of Benin on Monday, said modifying cassava on the continent would aid African nations in reducing imports, thereby diverting about $1.2 billion into domestic economies. He said cassava is a strategic crop for food security and also the creation of wealth for women and youth in Africa. The largest volume of cassava comes from Africa, where it supports more than 350 million people.