Yam farmers upbeat as harvest begins

Yam farmers in Abuja and neighbouring states of Niger and Nasarawa are hoping to profit from the current high food prices.  Mrs. Fatima Yusuf, who spoke in her farm, in Nasarawa State, said that she sees better days ahead for farmers as the prices of new yam in the market soar.  “I sold “didiu” (a […]

Yam farmers in Abuja and neighbouring states of Niger and Nasarawa are hoping to profit from the current high food prices. 
Mrs. Fatima Yusuf, who spoke in her farm, in Nasarawa State, said that she sees better days ahead for farmers as the prices of new yam in the market soar. 
“I sold “didiu” (a local name for a variety of yam) last week and what I got was very encouraging, I am indeed very happy,” she said.
A proud owner of 700 tubers of yams in her farm, Fatima said that her two daughters will go to school this year. 
Although the price of new yams is cheaper than that of the old, farmers are still happy. One of the farmers, Aliyu Danjuma from Gwagwalada Area Council, says he looks forward to making good harvest. 
“I pray the price goes higher. Unfortunately, I don’t have the early variety I would have got good money now,” he said. 
Those who planted the early varieties of yam are smiling in yam markets in Bwari, Gwagwalada in the FCT; Ijakoro in Niger State; Doma, Lafia and Nasarawa-Eggon in Nasarawa State. 
Four tubers, depending on their size, could sell for between N1,500 and N2,500.
Yam marketers, however, forecast a drop in prices when more of new yams hit the markets in coming weeks.