The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has approved a $13.5-million grant for Togo to boost cassava production, which can also be used as a feedstock for biofuel.
The IFAD, in collaboration with the Steering Committee of the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP), signed the agreement on December 22 to help raise productivity of small-scale farmers.
A consultation supported by the IFAD, Global Consultation on Cassava as a Potential Bioenergy Crop, was held in October that explored the multiple uses of cassava. The IFAD supports cassava as not only an economic stimulus for local farmers, but also cassava waste could be used as an alternative fuel.
Ghana, one of the most advanced African nations in the biofuel arena, has been exploring the use of cassava as a feedstock. However, continued research and development is required in order to making cassava a successful alternative fuel crop.
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