Cassava Research

Cassava (Manihot esculenta cranz) is a root crop, similar to a potato, grown in much of the tropical nations around the world as a major source of starch, as well as industrial products, such as ahesives and food additives.

Processing of cassava is an important aspect of rural food supply, because the root has naturally ocurring cyanogens which are toxic to humans.

The goal of this research is to ensure that the community of Adu Achi is able to use the newly developed water source for cassava processing, eliminating the long trek to the contaminated stream, which consumes calories and contaminates the food supplies.  The main concern is how to manage the waste water run off from washing the cassava at the community taps or in the processing centers currently under construction.