Cassava Mosaic Disease in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Feasible Solution for an Unsolved Problem

Abstract

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is a widespread viral disease that causes high yield losses in susceptible genotypes in Sub-Saharan Africa. Effective control of CMD is beneficial and justifiable since cassava is an important source of carbohydrates for over 200 million people in most African countries where the crop is grown. Despite much research effort, CMD has not been completely brought under control, and this remains a tremendous challenge to scientists and other stakeholders. This paper highlights and discusses some of the challenges in controlling CMD and offers some solutions. The need to diversify cassava utilization as food, feed and industrial raw material is crucial for the commercialization of the crop, and this diversification will eventually lead to farmers making extensive use of improved CMD-resistant genotypes and other inputs.