A review of root, tuber and banana crops in developing countries: past, present and future

For many of the developing world's poorest farmers and food-insecure people, roots, tubers, bananas and plantain crops (RTBs) serve as a critical source of food, nutrition and cash income. RTBs have been particularly important in areas where local agri-food systems are under stress. Under such circumstances, growers, processors and traders often see opportunities to improve food security or increase their incomes with those crops due to shifting tastes and preferences for food and non-food products. Since the early 1990s, cassava output surged in sub-Saharan Africa, while potato production expanded rapidly in Asia. RTBs are consumed by over three billion people in developing countries with a market value of US$ 339 billion. This paper analyses the major changes in production, utilisation and trade of RTBs over the last six decades, assesses estimates of their future trajectory and offers recommendations so that they might achieve their full potential.

Automated summary

Roots, tubers, bananas and plantain crops (RTBs) are crucial sources of food, nutrition and income for many of the poorest farmers and food-insecure people in developing countries. Opportunities to improve food security or increase income with RTBs have been identified due to shifting tastes and preferences. This paper analyzes changes in production, utilization and trade of RTBs over the last six decades and provides recommendations for their future development.