Central African Republic

Potato cultivation in the Central African Republic (CAR) supports rural livelihoods and food security, especially in cooler highland areas where planting occurs from November to February. According to FAOSTAT, CAR produced 1,378.29 tons of potatoes in 2023. Organizations like FAO and WFP (2016) have promoted potato farming alongside cassava and yams to strengthen food security.

Despite its growth, potato farming in CAR has faced several challenges over the years, including limited access to high-quality seed potatoes and underdeveloped farming infrastructure, which have kept overall yields relatively low. Nonetheless, the crop remains an important part of agricultural activities in the country’s mountainous zones.

Potato farming in the Central African Republic (CAR) is believed to have its roots in the late 17th or early 18th century, following its introduction by European settlers, particularly Christian missionaries. Initially grown on a limited scale around mission settlements, potato cultivation gradually expanded across the country. The central and eastern highland regions, with their cooler climates, became key hubs for production.