Cassava and sweetpotato play a vital role in food security and income generation in Tanzania. However, yields for these crops range far below their potential due to viruses that proliferate through seed.
Sweet potato virus disease (SPVD) and sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV) are the two most potent challenges to improving sweetpotato production in sub-Saharan Africa. Cassava crops, meanwhile, are hampered by cassava brown streak disease (CBSD).
While government-regulated clean seed programs in Tanzania are improving farmer access to virus-free planting material, early detection and diagnosis of disease in sweetpotato and cassava remains a vital tool for helping farmers boost current production levels.
