Abstract
Yam (Dioscorea spp.) cultivation has the potentials to greatly contribute to poverty alleviation and food security, in Cameroon. The full production potentials of yams have not been exploited, leaving Cameroon with an annual production of 648,407 metric tons (MT) at the sixth position, among the six countries of the West African yam zone, with 67.3 million MT. This review highlights research gaps in the yam production chain, which can be exploited to enhance production in the country. Subsistent yam cultivation takes place in all five agro-ecological zones of the country. Although with many fluctuations, yield and production quantities have recorded a marginal net increase, since 1961. Cameroon has nine cultivated and 17 wild species, exploited by Baka pigmies for food, but there is no established genebank, thereby exposing the genotypes to genetic erosion. Cultivated species are both indigenous and exotic, and traditional seed systems (sorting, junking, and milking) are exploited for seed procurement. Minisett technology is also gaining grounds. Yam processing is very limited, and, coupled with poor conservation facilities, contributes to elevated post-harvest losses. The yam marketing system is poorly organized, and hinders farmers from reaping optimum benefit from the activity. Other major constraints to yam production include high labour demand, pests and diseases, absence of improved seeds and research neglect. There is the need for concerted efforts involving all stake holders in the yam production chain to enhance yam production in Cameroon. Key words: Review, yam (Dioscorea spp.), production, Cameroon.  
Highlights
Yam is most important in the “yam zone” of West Africa which covers the tropical and subtropical regions of Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria and Cameroon (Oben et al, 2016) where over 67.3 million metric tons (MT) (92.2%) of the world’s estimated 73 million metric tons (MT) of yams are produced yearly (FAO, 2017)
Yam virus disease has been reported to be a very important constraint to yam production, with yield loss of over 50% reported on D. rotundata, due to infection by Yam mosaic virus (YMV), genus Potyvirus and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) - genus Cucumovirus (Adeniji et al, 2012) in other countries of the West African yam zone, where there is regular uncertified exchange of yam germplasm through unchecked land borders
Considering the fact that many viruses have been identified in other countries of the African yam zone where there is uncontrolled exchange of germplasm through unchecked land borders, it will be important to enhance research on yam virus diseases in Cameroon, to promote control measures to limit the spread and effects of these viruses within the sub region
Summary
The yam growing season in Cameroon varies with agroecological zones, but throughout the country the planting season extends from November to May with harvesting 6 to 10 months later, depending on the species and variety. Seignobos (1998), reported that to sustain cultivation of Bakokae and Ngang (Cultivars of D. rotundata) at the Mbe plain, this technique is commonly used by farmers as a means of producing planting material for the planting season.
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