Identifying cassava production constraints, farmers preferences, and cassava mosaic disease perceptions in Togo: insights for a participatory breeding approach

Cassava is a crucial food security crop in Togo and the most significant root crop in terms of area under cultivation and production volume. However, its production is predominantly carried out by subsistence farmers using low-yielding landraces. Several constraints impede cassava production, threatening its sustainability in the country. The low adoption of improved varieties developed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) underscores the need for a participatory approach to research and development. This study aimed to identify the cassava varieties grown, major production constraints, farmers' trait preferences, and perceptions of Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA). The study employed a multistage random sampling procedure to select regions, districts, and villages based on cassava production levels. The survey involved 83 men and 57 women in group interviews and 600 farmers in individual interviews: 200 in the forest–savanna transition, 180 in the rainforest, 120 in the wet savanna, and 100 in the dry savanna. Content analysis was used for qualitative data, and quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and comparative analyses, including Chi-square tests to assess differences in perceptions and preferences. The PRA revealed key constraints to cassava production, including inadequate capital, CMD, post-harvest physiological deterioration (PPD), and the non-availability of clean planting materials. Traits such as high yield, pest and disease resistance, early maturity, high dry matter content, delayed root deterioration, poundability, and taste were highly valued by farmers. CMD was identified as a significant disease, causing yield losses, with various causes and management practices reported. The study highlighted the necessity for a sustainable cassava seed system, as farmers pointed out the lack of improved varieties and clean planting materials. This study provides essential insights into cassava farming practices, production constraints, and farmers' preferred traits, laying the groundwork for a participatory breeding program in Togo. Addressing low-yielding varieties and diseases, particularly CMD, is critical for enhancing cassava production and ensuring food security.