$264b worth of RTCS consumed in developing countries – Low

The Principal Scientist, Africa Regional Office of the CIP International Potato Centre and 2016 World Food Prize Laureate, Dr Jan W. Low has disclosed that about three billion people in developing countries consume Root and Tubers Crops (RTCs) valued at $246b.

Low, who stated this during the recently held centenary anniversary celebration of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Abia State, said countries with agri-food systems are under stress and rapid population growth, while RTCs production has increased by 230 per cent since 1961.

While presenting the anniversary keynote address on the theme “NRCRI: A Century Of Empowerment Through Root and Tuber Crops Research,” the World Food Prize Laureate recommended the provision of critical calories that are locally available and affordable as to change the narratives of the RTCs.

She however, added that work must be done to change the image of RTCs, as they are primarily known as crops for the poor (with the exception of potato), adding that there’s need to create win-win opportunities to support local farmers and their  health; innovate recipes at key influential restaurants; prioritise biofortified varieties to fit into a more nourishing food system vision;  get RTC prioritised in government policies including  resiliency and water use efficiency in the face of climate change and  processing potential.

She noted that Nigeria’s population of 216 million (2022) is expected to grow to 400 million in 2050, and it’s landholding size per capita to decline significantly, while RTCs will be critical to food and nutrition security.

Low added that in memory of the NRCRI 100th anniversary and in honor of one of the greatest RTCs advocates, the late Professor Malachy Akoroda, there should be a commitment to educate, inform and transforms the image and contribution of RTCs in Nigeria.

The NRCRI Chief Executive Officer, Professor Chiedozie Egesi, in his address reiterated that the NRCRI mission is to provide necessary improved technologies that would enhance total value chain development of root and tuber crops, towards making the country attain food security, income generation, gainful employment and industrial development.

He said the institute has so far developed 54 improved varieties of cassava, 35 varieties of yam, four of sweet potato, 10 potatoes and two gingers, which has made Nigeria a notable world producer of the produce in parts of West Africa.

Egesi also predicted that Nigeria will continue to be ranked first in world production of cassava, yam, and cocoyam, with total yearly production of 60.44 and 5.49 million metric tonnes for cassava and cocoyam, respectively, noting that Irish Potato production increased from 523,000 metric tonnes in 1975 to over one million tonnes and will in the next 100 years, turn out multi-billionaires from agriculture through the RTCs.