Science for a stronger cassava
Cassava is a staple food for nearly a billion people, but yields in sub-Saharan Africa remain low.
The Cassava Source-Sink (CASS) project is working to change this by boosting the crop’s natural productivity - improving food security, incomes, and livelihoods for millions, especially smallholder farmers.
Learn more about the crop, the science and the people behind Cass Research
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News
Annual CASSIII meeting IITA Ibadan 23rd – 25th September 2025
Partners from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas gathered at IITA Ibadan for the Annual CASS III Meeting.
Inspiring presentations highlighted the latest progress in cassava research.
At the cassava field – a strong symbol of our shared commitment under the CASS banner.
Partners from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas gathered at IITA Ibadan for the Annual CASS III Meeting.
From 23 to 25 September 2025, the international CASS consortium came together at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Nigeria, for the Annual CASS III Meeting.
The three-day program brought together researchers and partners from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas to exchange knowledge, present recent progress, and discuss future directions of cassava research.
Highlights included in-depth scientific sessions, field visits to cassava research plots, and lively discussions on how modern breeding methods, advanced analytics, and international collaboration can drive improvements in cassava yield and resilience.
By fostering close collaboration across continents, the CASS project continues to work towards innovations that strengthen global food security, support smallholder farmers, and contribute to sustainable agriculture.
CASS Research - By the Numbers
800 million
people depend on cassava as a staple food
40 + working
across disciplines to unlock cassava's potential
60% women farmers
Estimated share of women among cassava producers
10 countries
collaborating in CASS project
4.5 tons per hectare
Potential cassava yield with source-sink optimization
50 + years
Cassava has been a global food security crop for decades