The IITA Conference Center was a sea of green with over a hundred people dressed in the attire of the Day—a shirt made of the local traditional cloth called “adire” that had YIIFSWA and Yams for livelihoods printed on it. More than a hundred participants including local authorities, farmers and, agricultural development programs (ADP) extension agents from all over Oyo state were present at Yam Day, a YIIFSWA-hosted event held at IITA on 22 February.
YIIFSWA, which st ands for Yam Improvement for Income and Food Security for West Africa, is a 5-year project geared towards improving production and processing of the crop.
The project is funded by the Gates Foundation and is implemented in Nigeria and Ghana by IITA in partnership with a consortium of national and international Research and Development partners, namely the National Root Crops Research Institute (Nigeria), Crops Research Institute (Ghana), the Natural Resources Institute (UK), Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, Catholic Relief Services, and Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary, in collaboration with service provider organizations, the private sector, farmers, and yam traders.
Yam Day was held to celebrate yam, the “king of crops” and to showcase some of YIIFSWA’s achievements since the project was launched 2 years ago. It came at the end of a week-long annual review and planning workshop held at IITA headquarters and attended by implementing project partners and other stakeholders. The workshop was held back to back with the meeting of the YIIFSWA Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).
Important guests on Yam Day included Mrs Christie I. Popoola, Director of Community Development, Ministry of Women Affairs; Baba Baale idi-ose, Oloyede Raimi, local chief; and Mr Victor A. Atilola, Executive Director of the Oyo State Agricultural Development Extension Program. On IITA’s side, in attendance were Dr Ylva Hillbur, DDG Research and Dr Robert Asiedu, Director of Western Africa Hub. Dr Alex andre Dansi, Chair of TAC, and other TAC members also attended the event.
On exhibit were posters and materials on novel technologies for high ratio propagation of seed tubers, seed yam propagation using minisetts and vine cuttings, yam breeding for value addition, yam virus diagnostics and other plant health issues, and some traditional and industrial products. New delicacies prepared by the IITA Crop Utilization Laboratory and the International House bakeshop were displayed for taste testing. This generated a lot of interest and intrigued the palates of guests and participants.
At the event, farmers gave testimonies and evidence of the work they are doing with YIIFSWA which is already having an impact on their lives. They also raised concerns about the unavailability of seed for planting, pest and disease challenges, lack of market linkages, inadequate and improper storage techniques. Answers were given to questions by respective objective leaders with a concluding summary by Dr Asiedu, the “father of yam”.
According to Project Manager Norbert Maroya, “It was evident that research for development in the yam value chain is the key to addressing the interlocking economic, social, and environmental challenges that confront thous ands of yam farmers and other stakeholders in West Africa.”
Celebrated for its sociocultural and economic importance, yam provides a key source of nutrition, is a symbol of heritage, and a livelihood source as a cash crop. It is the staple food of more than 60 million people and has the potential to lift 10 million West Africans out of hunger.
For more information, please contact:
Odihi Oiwoja, Yiifswa Communication Specialist, o.odihi@cgiar.org
Andrea Gros, Head of the Communication Office, a.gros@cgiar.org
About IITA www.iita.org
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is one of the world’s leading research partners in finding solutions for hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. Its award-winning research for development (R4D) approach addresses the development needs of tropical countries. IITA works with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture. IITA is a non-profit organization founded in 1967 in Nigeria and governed by a Board of Trustees. IITA works on the following crops: cowpea, soybean, banana/plantain, yam, cassava, and maize. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future.
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