The story

Cassava is a critical crop for Zambia. As a valuable food source, it feeds 30% of the population. It even once featured on the nation’s five Kwacha note, symbolizing its economic importance. However, this staple crop is under threat. Since 2018, cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) has caused severe yield losses. It is threatening smallholder livelihoods and food security across the country. It also disrupts diverse industries that rely on cassava starch such as biofuels, brewing, confectionery and mining. 

In 2022, CABI, in partnership with Zambia’s Ministry of Agriculture, launched a campaign to combat CBSD. Through PlantwisePlus, the work focused on raising awareness about the disease, culminating in the provision of disease-free cassava cuttings to smallholders. The initiative shared knowledge about the prevention and identification of CBSD using regular scouting. It also brought attention to the critical role that gender inclusivity and sustainability play in cassava seed systems. Since women often work in the fields, empowering them with disease identification and management skills accelerates disease detection. 

By 2023, 516 smallholders had received clean cassava cuttings. Moreover, Zambia’s national seed controller had appointed over a dozen ‘lead farmers’ as certified cutting growers. By 2024, 70% of the smallholders reported strong crop performance. Moreover, seed certification of 14 growers boosted the supply of virus-free cuttings. The clean cassava fields expanded. In addition, the campaign fostered new business ventures for women and young people. 

Companies like Itabwa Investments now plan to engage another 2,000 farmers to sustain the supply of clean cuttings. The work has also helped to reduce instances of other viruses such as cassava mosaic disease. Above all, the campaign slowed the spread of CBSD. Not only has it reduced cassava losses. It has also safeguarded smallholder incomes and livelihoods.