Study of the importance of plants with tubers and edible roots in the life of local populations in the Nimba Mountains Biosphere Reserve

Abstract

This study focusing on root and tuber plants in the riverside villages of Nimba aims to promote the importance of roots and tubers in the lives of people living near the UNESCO heritage site, Nimba Mountains Biosphere Reserve. . The method of collecting data from resource people and the focus group through a questionnaire developed using the Kobocollect tool was used. The survey concerned 190 people including 79 women or 41.58% who were grouped into age groups with an interval of 5 years and the age group over 20 years was the most interested with 143 people or 75 .26% of respondents. Among all agricultural productions, cassava ranks first (42%), followed by taro (30%), sweet potato (18%) and yam (10%) the least cultivated due to lack of knowledge of its cultivation method, which allows us to affirm that roots and tubers have a primordial place in the nimba zone. The adaptation of these crops to the difficult conditions of the area, their nutritional energy value and their economic contribution deserve the encouragement of these crops despite the difference in yield between these four crops. So for the development of these cultures, authorities at all levels, NGOs, businesses etc. must strengthen the technical and financial capacity of producers, by forming groups or cooperatives, providing them with improved seeds and inputs.