Cassava is a root vegetable native to South America and the West Indies but is cultivated all over Asia, South America, and Africa. Cassava (also known as tapioca, manioc and yuca) grows in arid conditions all year round, and needs very little water for cultivation. This makes it the perfect drought-tolerant crop the world over, especially in sub-Saharan regions of Africa and rocky, mountainous landscapes in South America.
Cassava root is the primary energy source for 800 million people all over the planet.