Sustainable Intensification of Cassava Production towards Food Security in the Lomami Province (DR Congo): Role of Planting Method and Landrace

This study sought to examine the effects of seedbed preparation and local landraces on the yield components and nutritional quality of cassava in the Lomami province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Cassava is a highly adaptable crop with low input requirements, but yields are often unsatisfactory. The results of this study showed that mound and ridge seedbed preparations can increase tuber yield by 32-68% compared with flat. There was no effect of seedbed preparation observed on leaves and stems, however, the Ngoymuamba landrace displayed a tuber yield three times higher than the common productivity values. There were only minor differences between landraces for the chemical composition of roots and leaves. Selecting the best-performing seedbed preparations and landraces could have a significant potential for achieving the goal of “Zero Hunger” and improving the diet in the DRC.