•Taro seems to be of an importance similar to the water-yam in the Bight of Bonny area. Knipscheer and Wilson (1980) map the cultivation of cocoyams in SE Nigeria, and shows that in some areas their importance is that of a co-staple.
•Lyanga (1980) states that the cocoyam is the second most important staple in Southern Cameroun. Karikari (1971) describes cocoyam cultivation in Southern Ghana.
•However, an account quoted by Mauny (1953) shows that taro was well established in Senegambia by 1500, too early for Portuguese navigators to have been instrumental in its diffusion.
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