Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of staking and non-staking systems on disease severity, yield and quality attributes of yams. Methodology: High costs and lack of planting materials, labour, staking and inappropriate knowledge on production techniques are major constraints of yam production in Sierra Leone. A total of seven promising hybrid genotypes of yams from International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and one local cultivar, Pulli, were evaluated for yield, reaction to local pest and disease and desirable market traits during 2011 and 2012 in three agro-ecological zones of Sierra Leone. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block replicated thrice at the experimental

The Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM) was used to assess the efficiencies and competitiveness of fresh cassava storage root production systems in Sierra Leone. Proportional random sampling was used to select study samples. Information was collected using structured questionnaire from a total of 1,880 producer households. Out of the 36 potential storage root production systems identified, only 6 systems are mainly used by producers. The PAM was based on one hectare of land for production and Leone (SSL) as money to evaluate costs and revenues. The analysis indicates that, all the 6 fresh cassava storage root production systems present a Domestic Resource Cost Ratio of less than 1 (DRC < 1) and Cost-Benefit Ratio (RCB) also less than 1 (RCB within 0.14 to 0.42). Discounting potential revenue from stems and cassava leaves in storage root production systems that use improved varieties and fertilizer have higher comparative and competitive advantages. The systems are also profitable, even though producers are not protected from tradable and taxed inputs. Production systems also remain profitable with 25% and 50% yield loss. This was also confirmed by Abiodun and Adefemi (2016). It is therefore better to produce cassava locally in Sierra Leone than import for processing or consumption. This study proposes recommendations to improve cassava productivity in Sierra Leone.

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