How to cultivate yam in your backyard
Nigeria remains the world’s largest producer of yams, accounting for two-thirds of global yam production annually, as reported by the National Bureau of Statistics. With a yearly output of approximately 16.19 million tons of yams according to the FAO, the country stands out in the global yam market. Yams are Nigeria’s fifth most widely harvested crop, following cassava, maize, sorghum, and cowpeas, making it the most important tuber crop after cassava.
However, despite this impressive production, yam farming is facing several challenges in traditional growing regions, including insecurity, declining soil fertility, pest infestations, and the rising cost of labor. These issues threaten yam cultivation and could impact food security and farmer livelihoods if left unchecked.
For stakeholders in the agri-food sector, ensuring sustainable yam production requires addressing these challenges while promoting best farming practices. Successful yam cultivation involves critical steps, including choosing fertile land, selecting healthy yam seedlings, employing soil ridging techniques, ensuring a steady water supply, and supporting the plant’s growth. Patience, care, and pest management are also vital during the growth cycle, which typically spans about eight months. Harvesting yams with care and proper storage practices are necessary to maintain quality and profitability.
Source: BusinessDay
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders:
As the world’s top yam producer, Nigeria’s position in global yam production is not only a source of national pride but also a significant contributor to the economy, food security, and rural livelihoods. Despite this dominance, declining production in certain regions due to insecurity, soil degradation, and pests signals a need for immediate interventions by stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, and agribusiness investors.
For Nigeria to sustain its global leadership and even enhance its yam output, the following strategies should be considered:
Tackling Soil Fertility and Land Management: Soil fertility is crucial for successful yam production, and declining fertility in many traditional yam-producing areas is becoming a serious concern. Stakeholders, including agricultural extension services and agribusiness firms, should prioritize promoting soil fertility management techniques. This includes encouraging the use of organic and inorganic fertilizers, crop rotation, and cover cropping to rejuvenate degraded soils. Additionally, adopting climate-smart agricultural practices can help mitigate the effects of soil degradation and contribute to sustainable yam farming.
Addressing Insecurity and Supporting Farmers: Insecurity in certain regions has discouraged farming activities, contributing to a reduction in yam production. Local governments and security agencies need to collaborate with farmer cooperatives to ensure that security measures are put in place to protect both farmers and their crops. Secure environments will encourage farmers to continue and expand yam farming, thereby stabilizing production levels.
Mechanization and Reducing Labor Costs: The high cost of labor is another challenge affecting yam production. Introducing mechanization where possible, especially during the land preparation and harvesting stages, can significantly reduce labor costs and increase productivity. For instance, soil ridging—an essential practice for yam planting—could be mechanized to allow for larger-scale production with less manual labor.
Water Supply and Irrigation Investments: As yam crops require sufficient water during the germination and growth phases, stakeholders should explore irrigation solutions in yam-growing regions, particularly during dry seasons. Investment in affordable and efficient irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation, would ensure consistent water supply, allowing for year-round yam cultivation and increased yields.
Promoting Best Farming Practices: Agribusiness investors and agricultural extension services should support farmers by educating them on best farming practices for yam cultivation. These practices include selecting high-quality yam seedlings, building proper ridges or heaps, and using support sticks to ensure optimal air circulation for the yam vines. Practical training sessions and demonstration farms could help farmers adopt these improved methods.
Improving Pest and Weed Management: Pest infestations are a major issue impacting yam production in many regions. Stakeholders should encourage the use of integrated pest management (IPM) techniques to control pests while minimizing environmental harm. IPM strategies could include biological control methods, resistant yam varieties, and judicious use of pesticides. Additionally, effective weed management is essential to prevent competition for nutrients and water during the yam growth cycle.
Access to Markets and Financing: Yams represent a significant economic asset for farmers, and ensuring that they have access to both local and international markets is crucial. Agribusinesses can collaborate with value chain actors to facilitate yam trade, while also exploring export opportunities for Nigerian yams, particularly to regions where the crop is in high demand. Moreover, financing schemes tailored for yam farmers, such as microloans or cooperative funding, can provide the necessary capital for farmers to invest in high-quality inputs and mechanization.
Leveraging Technology for Yam Farming: Digital agriculture tools can be deployed to provide farmers with real-time information on weather patterns, pest outbreaks, and soil health, improving their decision-making processes. Mobile-based platforms that link farmers with markets and buyers can also help in reducing post-harvest losses and improving profitability for yam producers.
Nigeria’s status as the largest producer of yams globally is a critical asset that must be safeguarded through strategic interventions and partnerships. By addressing the challenges of declining soil fertility, insecurity, and high labor costs, and by promoting best agricultural practices, stakeholders can ensure that yam production not only stabilizes but increases to meet both domestic and global demand.
For agri-food stakeholders, including policymakers, agribusiness investors, and extension services, the opportunities to support yam farming are immense. A focus on sustainable production practices, market access, and technological integration will help secure Nigeria’s leadership in yam production and ensure that the country continues to be a key player in the global agri-food market.
This transformation will require collaboration across the value chain from farmers and cooperatives to government agencies and private sector actors to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s yam industry.”
