This presentation is a composite progress report for West Africa. The countries covered include Burkina Faso, Ghana and Nigeria. Important constraints across these countries include:

• Susceptibility to Cylas sp., Alcidodes sp and SPVD
• Drought and shortening rainny season ( irregular rainfall pattern)
• Low yields, root dry matter content, low beta-carotene levels in farmer preferred cultivars
• Weak seed system
• Declining soil fertility
• High Post-harvest losses
• Low level commercial utilization
• Less structured marketing system