Yam strategy underway

IITA convened the meeting and drew participants from other national research institutes such as the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIR), Oshodi, Lagos; the agricultural development programmes (ADPs), the private sector and other key stakeholders/actors in the yam value chain.Addressing participants at the workshop, Dr Robert Asiedu, IITA Director for West Africa reechoed the importance […]

IITA convened the meeting and drew participants from other national research institutes such as the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIR), Oshodi, Lagos; the agricultural development programmes (ADPs), the private sector and other key stakeholders/actors in the yam value chain.
Addressing participants at the workshop, Dr Robert Asiedu, IITA Director for West Africa reechoed the importance of yam not only in Nigeria, but globally.
He said the need to draw a strategy for yam is driven by the desire to harness the exceptional qualities of the crop which are yet to be fully exploited for economic growth and food security.
He said the strategy will guide them in ensuring synergies and focus on real priorities as they work with partners to unlock the potential of yam noting that with about 68 percent of global output coming from Nigeria, yam plays a key role in the country and the West African sub-region as a whole, contributing to protein intake.
The researchers noted that yam production is declining in some major producing areas due to declining soil fertility, increasing pest pressures and the high cost of labour, saying that is why a roadmap for the crop is imperative.
Dr Antonio Lopez, IITA yam breeder, said having a strategy for yam that would dovetail into the national agricultural policy of the government would bring several benefits to the country, including increase in economic development.
Participants commended IITA for convening the participatory meeting and bringing yam to the front burner, saying the strategy would ensure more coordinated efforts towards addressing the constraints to increased yam production in the country and would give farmers the opportunity to improve their incomes and better their livelihoods.