The Reniva network (Network for the multiplication and transference of disease free cassava seedlings with genetic background) is a strategy to promote effective gains in quality and productivity in the cassava production system, by providing greater sustainability and competitiveness for this crop and providing cuttings in sufficient volume and in periods of greater demand, depending on the best planting seasons.
The idea was settled in 2010, based on the work of the technology transfer team from Embrapa Cassava and Fruits as an initiative that intended to fill an important gap related to the lack of cassava planting material (stems) in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil to support this activity that generates food and income, specially for smallholder farmers and family agriculture.
The network enables farmers to access the varieties produced by the Cassava Genetic breeding Program, coordinated by Embrapa Cassava and Fruits, in addition to multiplying their landraces on a large scale, already adapted to the respective traditional regions in cassava cultivation and free from diseases and pests. The materials resulting from the genetic breeding program are resistant to diseases and highly productive. Some of them, suitable for sweet cassava, have culinary and nutritional characteristics superior to traditional varieties. In this sense, Embrapa Cassava and Frutis, in partnership with the Superintendence of Open and Distance Education (SEAD) of the Federal University of Recôncavo da Bahia, offer the online course for introduction to production strategies for cassava planting materials - Reniva. All the lessons and publications are in Portuguese language only.

Contact: herminio.rocha@embrapa.br