Cassava is known under many names such as, Manihot, esculenta, yucca and tapioca. Cassava is a plant originating from South America . It is a staple in many developing countries of Africa, South and Central America, India and Southeast Asia. Cassava can grow in poor soil and can withstand drought. Cassava plants are rich in carbohydrates, mainly starch, and are a major source of energy. Cassava is deficient in protein, fat, and some minerals and vitamins. The nutritional value is less that of cereals, legumes and some other roots such as yams. Cassava leaves contain more protein than tubers but they lack some essential amino acids. The leaves are used for human consumption and animal feed. Cassava is the third most important source of calories in the tropics, after rice and corn. Cassava is grown by poor farmers,
many of them women, often on marginal land. This crop is vital for both food security and income generation.
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