Cassava database becomes open access
From the post:
Cassavabase is a database of phenotypic and genotypic data generated by cassava breeding programs within the Next Generation Cassava Breeding (NEXTGEN Cassava) project*.
The database makes available breeding data immediately available, thereby providing cassava researchers and breeders a key reference data source. The Cassava plant (Manihot esculenta) feeds more than 500 million people mainly in Africa.
Besides phenotypic and genotypic data, Cassavabase contains cassava geographical maps, genome and sequences and other datasets produced within the NEXTGEN Cassava project. Data can be accessed through the web interface and also various tools are available to view the datasets. Cassavabase, and the advantages of open access data were presented at the recent G8 International Conference on Open Data for Agriculture held in Washington, D.C.
Cassava is a plant that isn’t subject to a Monsanto patent (I don’t think) or that requires Monsanto chemicals to grow properly.
That alone means you are unlikely to encounter references to it in globalization of agriculture discussions.
Why grow something you can’t sell internationally? While paying homage to Monsanto?
Answers suggest themselves to me but for now I simply wanted to make you aware of this dataset.