Commentary:Cassava and African food security: Some ethnographic examples

Ecology of Food and Nutrition • Vol/Iss. 27(1) • Routledge • • Published In • Pages: 29-41 •
By Romanoff, Steven, Lynam, John

Abstract

Using ethnographic reports from the Human Relations Area Files in conjunction with national agricultural censuses, this study outlines the importance of cassava across Africa, especially in famine prevention and food security.

Note

Although the authors do not explicitly test and hypotheses in the article, they cite the following as their reasoning for why cassava has the ability to withstand climate events and reduce hunger in Africa: - Cassava is not subject to rainfall stress to the same degree as grain crops, because it is harvested for its root, it will adjust its leaf canopy to environmental conditions, which also makes it tolerant to insect attack, it is adapted to grow on acid and infertile soils, it had a sophisticated stomatal response to air humidity, and can withstand droughts of six to eight months (33).

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
HRAF Collection of Ethnography (paper/fiche)HRAF
National Agricultural Censuses
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: abbe.mccarter  anj.droe