Research benefits of KU50 and Huay Bong cassava breeding

Abstract

     Thailand is considered a world-leading country in cassava breeding research. The objective of the study was to evaluate the benefits of research investment in two main successful cassava varieties in Thailand, namely KU50 and Huay Bong 60 and Huay Bong 80. Data were collected from governmental and non-governmental agencies as well as from cassava farm-household surveys. Impact pathways were determined. Adoptions of technology were estimated. Cost-benefit analysis was performed. The results showed that research investments in cassava KU50 and Huay Bong 60 and 80 were very high. The net present value of research in 2014 on cassava KU50 was about THB 49 billion while that of cassava Huay Bong 60 and 80 was about THB 10.5 billion. The non-market benefits to society were in terms of increasing the knowledge base on cassava breeding and providing major genetic germplasm for other cassava breeding research in other countries worldwide. Hence, the research investment in cassava breeding has already provided large benefits to the Thai economy. Funding of research investment in cassava should be continued. In particular, research investment in high yielding cassava varieties is still needed. Moreover, research on a high quality cassava variety for example, a free-amylose cassava variety, is suggested to meet the market need of the cassava industry and strengthen agricultural development in Thailand.