Nigeria: Field Trials of New Yam Growing Technique Begins

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), in collaboration with Nigerian farmers, has begun field trials of a new technique in propagating yam. The new technique, developed by the IITA and the Tokyo University of Agriculture, uses vine cuttings planted in carbonized rice husk (CRH). CRH is a growth medium which could be obtained by farmers cheaply, if not for free. The technology eliminates the use of tubers as seed, thus, more yams are made available for food and sale. This also minimizes nematode infestations, a main cause of low yields in yams, and promotes faster multiplication and better and more uniform crop quality. 

"The technology will save farmers the cost and difficulty of acquiring seed yams," says Joshua Aliyu, a researcher at the Niger State Agricultural Development Project working on the trials. "It would be a rebirth of yam cultivation in our community," he adds. FAO estimates that West Africa accounts for 97 percent of world yam production.  The cost of seed yams in the region, however, accounts for about 50 per cent of the total cost.

The complete article is available at http://www.iita.org/cms/details/news_feature_details.aspx?articleid=2543&zoneid=342