Cassava production in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) production is important to the economy of Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

[1] Zaire, now the DRC, was the world's largest consumer of cassava with Republic of the Congo ranked second in 1996.

[2] Cassava, a perennial crop, originally from South America, was introduced in the Congo Basin of Africa in 1558 by the Portuguese from Brazil.

[5]Cassava Bacterial Blight in the early 1970s, led to total crop failure and ensuing famine.

[10] Vitamin A Cassava is another variety which was introduced in the four provinces of Kinshasa, Bas-Congo, Orientale, and Kivu to achieve food security and increase income levels.