Social – Economic and Management Practices of soil fertility that Affects Cassava production in the Central African Republic: Case Study in Savanna and Forest areas

Purpose: Cassava is an important root crop in maintaining food security for the population in the Republic of Centrafrique (CAR). Despite this socio-economic importance, yields obtained remain low and demands are not yet met. The aim of this study was to identify socio economic and management factors that determine cassava yields in two agroclimatic zones of CAR.Research Method: Socio-demographic characteristics, soil fertility management practices in cassava cropping systems and constraints related to cassava production in the CAR forest and savanna zones were collected using semi-structured interviews. Descriptive statistics, Student’s t test and ordinal logistic regression were used to analyze data collected.Findings: Cassava is the main crop in two agroclimatic zones. It is an activity carried out mainly by men. The areas sown for cassava vary between 0.45 and 0.85 ha. The main varieties grown were TMS 92/0329 (locally named Togo) and C96/OO5 (locally named Bobeketi). Disease resistance, high yield and organoleptic quality are the main criteria used for selecting varieties to grow. Cassava yields obtained for all varieties combined are significantly different (p = 0.0001) in the two zones, with an average of 4.41 t.ha-1 of root. These low yields were related to climatic constraints (violent wind and irregular rainfall) and a decline in soil fertility.Originality/ Value: It is proposed to implement integrated soil fertility management strategies by combining mineral and organic fertilizers available in climatic zones that optimize plants’ nutrient use efficiency in a context of climatic changes for sustainable cassava production.