Book excerpt: Tropical root crops—basic staples for millions of people—are highly perishable, and tremendous losses occur after harvest because of the lack of storage and processing technology. This book is the first to fully describe small-scale processing and storage methods for these root crops, particularly taro, sweet potato, and yams. The authors emphasize methods of handling and preserving the crops that require little in the way of energy or technology, and they discuss traditional methods of storage and processing in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. They also describe small machines suitable for processing and highlight examples of higher-level technology. The book is a milestone in the search for ways to appropriately modernize traditional agriculture and food systems.