In less than six years, IITA–CGIAR has developed and released 26 high-quality yam varieties across Africa, with 10 of these varieties released in Nigeria, the largest yam-producing country on the continent. Introducing these new varieties can potentially rejuvenate the declining yam value chain.
IITA has had a significant impact through its outreach, capacity development, and empowerment initiatives. Farmers across 15 states within Nigeria have gained access to the newly released yam varieties and received training on seed production technologies and good agronomic practices (GAP) for efficient yam farming.
Building on these achievements, the extension of genetic gains has expanded beyond farmer groups to institutions. Through the Yam Improvement Program, IITA has established a Demand Creation Trial (DCT) at Afe Babalola University (ABUAD) Farms. Afe Babalola University, along with its affiliated ABUAD farms and Afe Babalola Industries, has been introduced to four of the yam varieties released by IITA, which include Vayam and Akuabata (water yams), Favourite, Super, and Asiedu (Guinea yams), possess the necessary qualities to be processed into different yam products.
Seed yam tuber production is crucial for food tuber production for industrial use. Over ten thousand minisetts and minitubers for seed yam production were established by IITA-YIP for ABUAD to promote yam and yam products. The five yam varieties (Vayam, Akuabata, Asiedu, Favourite, and Super) have been cultivated at ABUAD farms, offering potential benefits to yam farmers in Ekiti State and its environs as multiplicating efforts are sustained to achieve commercial status.
The IITA-RTB Yam team also conducted training sessions for the staff and students of ABUAD farms on yam minisetts and Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH). The participants showed keen interest in the training, recognizing its potential to help them manage the farm effectively to achieve desired results.
The positive testimonials from students indicated they had gained valuable knowledge and insights into yam techniques. The trained students now view yam farming, especially seed yam production, as a promising and profitable business opportunity that could be explored to improve their livelihoods.
Contributed by Onasanya Emmanuel
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