Question

what is cassava? what is its importance to the people of democratic republic of Congo?

Answer 1

Cassava is the third-largest source of food carbohydrates in the tropics, after rice andmaize. Cassava is a major staple food in the developing world, providing a basic diet for over half a billion people. It is one of the most drought-tolerant crops, capable of growing on marginal soils. Nigeria is the world's largest producer of cassava, while Thailand is the largest exporter of dried cassava.

Cassava is classified as either sweet or bitter. Like other roots and tubers, both bitter and sweet varieties of cassava containantinutritional factors and toxins, with the bitter varieties containing much larger amounts. It must be properly prepared before consumption, as improper preparation of cassava can leave enough residual cyanideto cause acute cyanide intoxication,goiters, and even ataxia, partial paralysis, or death.The more toxic varieties of cassava are a fall-back resource (a "food securitycrop") in times of famine or food insecurity in some places.Farmers often prefer the bitter varieties because they deter pests, animals, and thieves.


IMPORTANCE

Cassava, yams (Dioscorea spp.), and sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) are important sources of food in the tropics. The cassava plant gives the third-highest yield ofcarbohydrates per cultivated area among crop plants, after sugarcane and sugar beets.Cassava plays a particularly important role in agriculture in developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (CONGO))
, because it does well on poor soils and with low rainfall, and because it is a perennial that can be harvested as required. Its wide harvesting window allows it to act as a famine reserve and is invaluable in managing labor schedules. It offers flexibility to resource-poor farmers because it serves as either a subsistence or a cash crop.

Answer 2

Cassava or manioc is staple food of DRC