The signing of a letter of understanding by the consortium of cassava producers aims at strengthening its production and sharing information about the progress in the field. The signing of the document took place on Tuesday, in IICA's auditorium, and was attended by some 35 cooperatives and producers of cassava.
Miguel Altamirano Tinoco, regional coordinator of IICA, said that the EU had invested 5.6 million Euro in the project to last until 2016. He also stated the project was carried out nationwide and would cover 1,000 cassava farmers in different regions.
Altamirano Tinoco said the work strategy had been to form some research and technology validation consortia, which included the participation of agribusiness, academia, the public sector, producers, cooperatives and cooperation agencies.
Meanwhile, Mario ALDANO, representing the IICA office in Nicaragua, said that the project aimed at giving cassava farmers the strategic tools for planting, thus benefiting the domestic market.
New variety
Luz Maria Flores, a specialist in roots and tubers from the Nicaraguan Institute of Agricultural Technology, INTA, said the cassava sector was progressing.
She stressed that, due to climate change, they were seeking to improve cassavas so that they possess greater strength and a shorter production cycle so as to have a greater annual production.
"The INTA introduced five high yield cassava varieties from Colombia: Inta Nicaragua, Inta Rama, Inta Perla, Inta Maria and Inta Dorada. The last two species are biofortified and have high levels of carotene. We want to treat them to make bread flour from them," noted Flores.
Flores stated that these species were highly resistant to diseases, that two of them were good for the production of flour, and that they were resistant to drought. Additionally, they can be produced in less time, she said.
Source: elnuevodiario.com.ni