Abstract:

Cassava (Man/hot esculenta, Crantz) is a major staple crop, providing carbohydrates for about 80% of the Ugandan popu-lation. It is grown in many parts of Uganda, with the Eastern and Northern regions as the largest producers. The ability of cassava to better survive under low rainfall and poorer soils than other crops, partly contributes to expansion of areas growing cassava in Uganda. In 2011, Uganda produced 4,753,430 tonnes of cassava, of which 63-72% was con-sumed as food, 22-27% was processed as feed and about 2-7% used for other purposes such as raw material for starch, brewing alcohol and local construction. 22.2% of the total cas-sava produced was sold at farm level. At farm level, cassava yields at only 12.5 t/ha, far below the average yield of 25 t/ha achieved on research stations. The actual genetic potential of cassava is 80— 90t/ha. Pests and diseases are the main reason for low yields of cas-sava in Uganda. Cassava pests in the Uganda include cassava mealybug (Phenacoccus manihoti Mat-Ferr), cassava green mite (Monychellus tanajoa Bondar) and whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Genn.).The major diseases of cassava in Uganda are cassava mosaic disease (CMD), cassava brown streak dis-ease (CBSD) and cassava bacterial blight (CBB)