The edible roots of the cassava plantWIKIMEDIA, DAVID MONNIAUX
Researchers working to create a virus-resistant variety of cassava, the starchy root vegetable that millions of people throughout the world depend on as a dietary staple, got a shot in the arm this week—to the tune of almost $12 million. The cash infusion is bound for the Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa (VIRCA) project and is coming from a trio of philanthropic organizations: about $5.5 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; another $5.5 million from The Monsanto Fund; and a little more than $850,000 from the Howard Buffett Foundation. VIRCA, which is also funded by about $2.5 in US taxpayer money, aims to develop two new varieties of cassava resistant to the viruses that cause cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) and cassava mosaic ...
