Tuber Yields Associated with the Production Systems of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) in the Locality of Bini-Dang at Ngaoundere, Cameroon

Abstract

In Cameroon, the consumption of bakery products, especially bread, occupies a preponderant place in the diet of populations, even in non-wheat-producing countries. These bakery products are becoming increasingly dependent on wheat-producing nations, particularly during economic crises where wheat is very expensive to import. To remedy this situation, technologies are increasingly being developed to replace wheat flour with flour obtained from local food resources. Our research aimed to study the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) production system at the locality of Bini-Dang in Ngaoundere, Cameroon through a descriptive study that took place over a period of four months from July 20 to November 29, 2019. The data were collected on a survey by interview and additional explorations. A total of 60 farmers were interviewed leaving in the study area. A survey was conducted to determine the farmers profile relative to the sweet potato sector, the type of varieties grown, crop techniques as well as production constraints. Results show that all producers are men with a frequency of 100%. In cultural practice, ridges are used more with a spacing of 15-20 cm between them, which is 66.60% of their frequency. 57.10% of the population uses cow dung to fertilize the soil, and thus to improve sweet potato yield. However, the tuber yield of sweet potato varies between 24 to 55 t/ha. The harvested products are sold to traders and consumers. This information would be used as a database to improve the availability of sweet potato cultivated in the locality of Bini-Dang to install a bread-making industry.