Yam cultivation is practiced in all agro-ecological zones in Cameroon, but the absence of a gene bank contributes to the low level of yam production. This study aimed to characterise the production systems, highlight production constraints, collect cultivars for characterisation, and determine the factors for conserving genetic diversity in Mbam and Inoubou sub-division. The results show that yam producers in Mbam and Inoubou are gradually moving towards an intensive cropping system using fertilizers and pesticides. However, subsistence yam cultivation without the use of fertilizers and pesticides is still maintained by the majority of producers. The main production constraints for Mbam and Inoubou producers are pests, laborious cultivation, diseases, climatic hazards, lack of seeds, and soil infertility. Six factors significantly (P ˂ 0.05) affect the conservation of yam diversity. The cultivation of yams known as yellow loop, sweet white loop, and purple loop positively influences conservation. In addition, producers who stopped their study in secondary school tended to conserve the cultivars. Conversely, pest damage leads producers to reduce the number of cultivars. Similarly, producers who grow yams for food and cultural needs or for food, economic, and cultural needs have cultivar preferences and reduce yam biodiversity. The biodiversity of yams is decreasing as 48% of the producers have reduced the number of cultivars they had at the beginning of the crop. It is therefore urgent to establish a gene bank so that producers are no longer the sole custodians of biodiversity.