Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 March 2016
In order to intensify cassava production in southern Côte d'Ivoire, multiple farmers’ field trials were carried out in two important cassava-producing areas (Dabou and Bingerville). The effectiveness of an Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) approach as intensification pathway was evaluated for poor sandy soils. Overall, ISFM-based systems outperformed the local cultivation system. The average cassava yield was 14.5 and 6.5 t ha−1 and 12.6 and 5.7 t ha−1 for the ISFM and traditional systems, in Dabou and Bingerville, respectively. The average profitability of ISFM systems was ca. 2500 Euro ha−1, whereby 66% was generated by cowpea intercrop, which yielded on average 3.1 t ha−1. Taking into account the limited farmer's resource endowment and poor soil fertility, ISFM is a crucial component for sustainable intensification of cassava production and poverty alleviate in southern Côte d'Ivoire.