Cassava propagation as a step for crop improvement in family farming

Abstract

The cultivation of cassava plays a fundamental role in the food and economic sovereignty of
many peasant families in the Extreme South of Bahia. The productivity indexes in the region
are weak compared to the potential of the crop. With the improvement of simple techniques like
spacing, fertilization, use of propagation materials of quality and of suitable varieties it is possible
to achieve good productivity gains. Given this scenario, the Agroecological Settlements
Project has been working to improve the cassava crop through technical training with farmers
and the transfer of high-value agronomic varieties to the Community Seed Banks of the involved
communities. As results already achieved, 2 Community Banks of Cassava propagation
materials were established as demonstration areas of agroecological practices, located in 2
pre-settlements in the municipalities of Belmonte and Eunápolis.