Cassava roots © Gustavo, Adobe Stock

Roots and tubers

Tropical starchy root crops and tubers – cassava, sweet potato, yam and dasheen –, or "RTs", play a vital role in food security for populations in tropical zones, against a backdrop of population growth and rapid urbanization, particularly in Africa. ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â has substantial expertise in these value chains, ranging from genomics to postharvest technology through varietal improvement, plant health, cropping systems and value chain economics. ÁùºÏ²Êͼ¿â's approach is multidisciplinary and often innovative.

Books and documents


  • 2nd edition. 2020. Vincent Lebot, Cirad. Cabi, 515p
    Aims to bring together in a single work the state of the art on the origins and history, taxonomy and botany, genetics and improvement, physiology, agronomy, pests and diseases, post-harvest quality and marketing for root and tuber plant species (cassava, sweet potato, yams and aroids).

  • Philippe Vernier, Boni N’Zué, Nadine Zakhia-Rozis, Quæ, Agricultures tropicales en poche, 2018

  • Estelle Biénabe, Denis Loeillet, Alain Rival (ed.), Springer, 2017

  • Vincenot Didier, Roux-Cuvelier Michel. Chevagny-sur-Guye: Editions Orphie, 159 p. (Le grand livre) ISBN 978-2-87763-637-7 Revues, 2018

  • Monthly bulletin on trade in fresh and processed tropical fruits, citrus fruits and off-season fruits.
    Special issues:  -

Production guides

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COLEACP is an international network working to foster sustainable development of the horticultural trade. PIP is a European cooperation programme led by COLEACP.

Roadmap summary

Scientific publications