Determinants of the intensification of cassava production in the Central African Republic

The general objective of the study is to analyze the determinants of cassava production intensification in the Central African Republic in order to propose support for producers. To achieve this objective, a field survey was conducted in the Bossangoa area from July 5 to July 12, 2023, involving 150 producers. The data obtained from this field survey were processed and analyzed using statistical tools (Excel) and econometric tools (SPSS). Statistically, the results show that 70% of producers use traditional and underperforming means of production. This considerably limits their average operating area to 0.60 hectares and, therefore, their production level. From an econometric perspective, the estimation of the Tobit model shows that the intensification of cassava production using improved seeds is determined by economic variables such as operating capital, cultivated area, and the contribution of cassava to the farm income, as well as social variables such as experience in cassava cultivation. These variables positively influence the intensification of cassava cultivation with improved seeds. However, economic variables such as location relative to the market and the number of active workers, as well as social variables such as the age of the farm manager, their gender, and literacy level, do not influence the intensification of cassava production using improved seeds. The marginal effects indicate that the most determining factors for the intensification of cassava production are economic variables, specifically the cultivated area in cassava, the contribution of cassava to farm income, and operating capital. However, recommendations have been formulated for the direct (producers) and indirect (government) stakeholders in cassava production to enable an intensive increase in cassava production in the Central African Republic. Keywords: Determinants, intensification, production, cassava, Central African Republic. Keywords: Determinants, Cassava, Central African Republic, Intensification, Production,