A healthy seed yam producing technique developed by scientists at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), that promises better harvests in the season ahead, is exciting farmers in Nigeria, according to a statement from the Nigeria-based research institute.
“Some farmers planting 200 seed yams before now have enough to plant 500 heaps. Also the quality of the seed yams is very good and farmers love the technology,” the statement quoted a state extensionist who is partnering with IITA scientists on the project, Mr. Moses Oguniyi, as saying.
The healthy seed yam producing technique involves cutting tubers of yam into small sizes of between 50 and 100 grams, and treating them with appropriate pesticides and insecticides before planting.
“The harvest is so bountiful that my wife and I are in awe. We now have enough seed yams to plant next season,” a farmer, Mr. Abiodun Fatoki, was quoted as saying.
West Africa accounts for more than 90 per cent of yam production in the world.
Across Africa, yams are important sources of carbohydrates. However, high cost of seed production, pests and diseases have led to poor quality seed yam.
The South-west Ekiti state in Nigeria is one of the yam producing areas. Farmers from the state who participated in the healthy yam project last year said they now have enough seed yams to plant this season,
“The healthy seed yam production came at the right time and it has produced benefits,” said Mr. Samuel Oke, of the Anglican Diocese of Ekiti West, whose parishioners participated in the project.
He said the members, particularly those in the rural areas, were encouraged to take part in the project to build their capacity and livelihoods, adding that the church has embarked on several agricultural programmes, including training.
“A few people that participated last year got benefits and we want more to benefit hence the need for training and awareness of this technology. Everybody in Ekiti loves yams and they eat the crop mostly in pounded form. Again, we have never experienced glut in yam production, which is why we feel most people should be encouraged to grow it,’ Mr. Oke said.
The project is supported by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) under the Research Into Use (RIU) programme.
IITA, based in Nigeria’s South-west city of Ibadan, works in collaboration with Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary and Diocesan Development Services (DDS) to implement the new yam seed production technique project in the nation’s capital, Abuja, southern Rivers, northern Kogi and Ekiti states.
Source: Afrique En Ligue