We are pleased to announce the publication of the book “Innovation in the Root, Tuber and Banana Nutritional System: Creating Value for Inclusive Outcomes".
The entire book, as well as its individual chapters, are in the public domain and are therefore available free of charge. here. We encourage you to download them and also share the link with others who might benefit from this book.
As many readers know, roots, tubers and bananas (RT&B) play a critical role in food security and nutrition in developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). They have great potential to help reduce poverty, improve health, nutrition, and make small farmers more resilient to climate change.
However, there are many problems, including their vegetative propagation, difficulties in terms of genetics and selection, as well as post-harvest restrictions associated with their bulkiness and perishable properties, difficulties in ensuring the correct storage conditions for products. Fortunately, they have a high yield potential as well as a variety of uses, both fresh and processed.
The book summarizes food system innovations for roots, tubers and bananas developed over the past 10 years in developing countries. It consists of 17 chapters grouped into four main sections: combining science and practice; processing and marketing; productivity increase; and improvements.
It includes the results of the CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB), which ran from 2012 to 2021. The program is a new and successful innovation model in which various partners and organizations, both academic and private, come together to focus on creating value for the end user.
The book has an interesting chapter on seed potatoes, colorfully illustrated with vivid photographs.
While most of the examples and ideas presented in this book are from Africa, they can be applied to different geographic regions, cultures, and cultures. The book will be of use to decision makers about policies to scale innovation for agricultural development, researchers and extension workers in need of practical support, as well as academics and researchers.