Novel root & tuber crops and food security in West Africa

In the face of food shortages there have been introductions of many crops to increase the staple food base. However, some of these foods are expensive whilst others have lacked essential nutrients for the poor urban and rural consumers. The diets of this segment are mostly dominated by starchy foods for the reason of price. Traditional staple crops often do not have essential nutrients necessary for growth and health protection. Most of the poor consumers trade off quality for low price and quantity. Given the continuing problems with hunger and malnutrition in wider parts of the world and in the study area of this thesis, viz. Ghana and Benin, it is necessary to look for novel approaches to the problem that can complement existing strategies. The book highlights roles of supply chain actors and stakeholders, processes involved in developing food security products, important food attributes for consumer and supply chain actors and their implications for product development, stimulating adoption and the New Product Development process.