Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) seriously affects cassava (Samura et al., 2013; Fargette et al., 1988). There is limited information on tuberous root yield loss and the profitability of growing improved and local varieties infected with the cassava mosaic virus for tuber and gari production in Sierra Leone. The objectives of the study were to determine yield loss associated with cassava mosaic disease and conduct cost benefit analysis (budgets and break-even analysis) on cassava production using two improved varieties (SLICASS 4 and 6) compared against the local susceptible variety Cocoa, for gari production and Cocoa as a poundable enterprises for the boil and eat market. Activity 1 involved the establishment of a yield loss trial using the paired plot technique. Activity 2 assessed productivity of cassava and gari production. Data collected were analysed using the analytical frame work that incorporates the concept of gross margin analysis as describe by Brown (1979). This included cost benefit analysis (CBA), the net social benefit (NSB) or the excess of total benefit over total cost represents the net present value (NPV) and The Internal Rate of Returns (IRR).The yield loss associated with the local variety Cocoa under this system was 4.27 t/ha which is equivalent to 38.92% yield loss resulting from the cassava mosaic disease infection. SLICASS 4 and SLICASS 6 recorded positive returns to production of tubers and gari. The local variety Cocoa enterprises for gari under the same condition recorded a negative returns even in the 6 year. However Cocoa for the boil and eat market had the highest profit level. The implication of this study is that breeding effort should be geared towards high yielding mosaic resistant varieties that are poundable more profitable and suits the cultural and domestic demand of the producers, processors and consumers.

The objective of this study is to examine the profitability and channels of distribution of sweet potato in Sierra Leone. Multistage sampling was used to select 150 sweet potato marketers from five major districts. Data was collected on socio-economics characteristics, distribution channels, market margins and net income, drivers and barriers of sweet potato marketers with aid of android devices programme with the Census and Survey Processing System (CSPro. 6.3) software package. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Sweet potato trading investment has a net positive return. After calculating the benefit-cost ratio (BCR), the BCR of sweet potato root trading in each of the districts was greater than one (BCR>1), which indicates that, sweet potato roots trading business is profitable. The revenue generated in the sale of one (1) bag of sweet potato is high. That is, an average of 20% profit is realised from the 1 bag (50 kg) that is bought and sold and the highest profit was realised in Bombali district. Therefore, sweet potato trading is a profitable and a lucrative business venture in Sierra Leone that is worth investing. Lack of credit facilities, inadequate initial capital and high transportation costs were identified as the major factors militating against sweet potato marketing in the study area. The study therefore recommended, the government as well as non-governmental agencies should organise the marketers into groups and empower the marketers through the provision of micro credit facilities to increase the initial capital and hence expand in trading of sweet potato roots.

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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The consumption of Small ruminants' meat (sheep and goat) form an integral component of an average Ghanaian's diet due to the country's emergence to a middle income earning status and awareness of the outstanding benefits of a nutritious diet. However, periodic shocks in market availability of products severely impacts access and in most cases cause price hike hence affecting dietary patterns especially of urban dwellers that are mostly habitual in recurrent consumption of these products. Against such insight, this study investigates the factors that influence the inlet choice of sheep and goats traders in two urban towns of Ghana (Kumasi and Tamale) using Multinomial logit model. The selection of Kumasi and Tamale markets were based on the progressive marketing and consumption of sheep (S) and goats (G). A multi stage sampling technique was used in this study. A reconnaissance survey was carried out in Kumasi and Tamale metropolis in order to identify the existing markets and to generate the sample frame. Ten markets were purposively selected based on the proximity of the markets to the urban centres. A total of 284 traders were randomly sampled from the sampling frame. A structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant data, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The results of the study showed that majority of the traders were male with most (43%) falling within the age range of 31 to 40 years. International market (Burkina Faso) was identified as the major source of sheep and goats with 37% of total respondents sourcing from there. The major factors found to be influencing the inlet choice of sheep and goats by sampled traders in the study areas were prices, licenses, quantity of animals handled, transportation cost, education, experience and age of the traders. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were suggested to improve the SG trade in urban centres of Ghana: Credit provision to traders who desire it to establish and expand their investment; reduction of license cost; and general reduction of fuel price so as to ease economic mobility of products.