Mr Godwin Atser, Communications Officer, West and Central Africa for the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), made the announcement in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.
The statement said the varieties were developed through conventional breeding by the IITA and the Programme National de Development des Racines et Tubercules (PNDRT).
Other partners are the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), non-governmental organisations and local farmers, the statement added.
It said that the improved varieties were formally released by the Cameroonian Minister of Agriculture, Mr Essimi Menye.
The statement explained that the cassava varieties were recognised as IITA genotypes, TMS 92/0326, TMS 96/1414, TMS 96/0023, TMS 92/0057 and TMS 92/0067.
It added that with an estimated yield of between 20 tons and 35 tons per hectare, the improved varieties had improved nutritional qualities and rich in caratenoids, iron and zinc.
It also quoted the Director General of the IITA, Dr Nteranya Sanginga, as saying that the varieties would help close yield gaps, improve yield and also put more money in farmers’ pockets.
``The released varieties would also help improve the fortunes of farmers who depend on the crop for their livelihoods.’’
It quoted Saginga as pledging that IITA would continue to support farmers in Cameroon by offering improved varieties and technologies that addressed the constraints to development in tropical nations.
The IITA Country Representative, Dr Rachid Hanna, said the release of the varieties was significant’ as it would improve the nutrition and livelihood of farmers in Cameroon.
``We see it as a new dawn for cassava farmers,” he added.
The statement described cassava as one of the major staples in Cameroon, contributing to food security and wealth creation of the country.
It added that crop was either boiled or processed into local delicacies such as Mitumba, Baton de manioc, Beignets de manioc, gari and Ndas among others.
``The root crop has also gained industrial importance with uses in ethanol production, high quality cassava flour in bread production and glucose syrup production.
``Despite the strategic role, the root crop is challenged by poor yields, pests and diseases, decreasing soil fertility and climate change,’’ the statement said.
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