CIP releases Annual report 2007: Roots and Tubers - the overlooked opportunity

Roots and tubers already make a substantial contribution to providing food and alleviating poverty in the developing countries.  We are convinced that they will play an increasingly important role as food for the future, particularly in the vulnerable Low Income Food Deficit Countries.

Despite the large increase in global food production, many individuals and communities do not have physical or financial access to food year round. Vulnerability can be created by many factors, such as natural disasters, remoteness, poverty, marginal ecosystems, pest and disease outbreaks, political instability, climate variability, pandemics and urbanization – and now economic crises.

The World Bank President, among others, has called for a short-term crisis response in addition to our longer-term work to build resilient food systems.

Long taken for granted, both the potato and sweetpotato have the potential to ease the pressure of increasing cereal prices for the poorest people and contribute significantly to world food security.

Link directly to CIP's annual report