The yam is an important food crop, especially in the so-called ‘yam zone’ of West Africa: total world production is about 19 million tonnes per annum, some 70 per cent of it grown in Nigeria. Although regarded as mainly a source of carbohydrate, some species are nearly as rich in protein as rice or maize.
What is milking in yam production?
Milking involves the harvesting of a yam tuber before full maturity and re-planting of the head to enable it grow into a small tuber that is big enough for planting in the following year. Either of these two methods reduces the amount of ware yam available for consumption.
How can we increase yam production?
Some approaches to producing quality seed of yam are as follows: farmers select small whole tubers from a ware crop harvest; stimulate the production of seed tubers by ‘milking’ ware tubers while the leaves of the plant are still green (double harvest system); cut ware tubers into setts about the same sizes as regular
Which type of crop is yam?
root/tuber crop
Yam is the second most important root/tuber crop in Africa after cassava, and is extremely important to food security in regions of Southeast Asia and the Pacific, as well as the tropical Americas.
What are the economic importance of yam?
Yam can be exported too other countries to earn foreign currency and improve the economy of Africa. In ancient time down to very recently, the wealth of a man in Igboland is measured by the quantity of yam he harvested. Yam is a symbol of wealth in Igboland – likewise many other places.
Which country is the largest producer of yam?
Nigeria
Nigeria is by far the world’s largest producer of yams, accounting for over 70–76 percent of the world production. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization report, in 1985, Nigeria produced 18.3 million tonnes of yam from 1.5 million hectares, representing 73.8 percent of total yam production in Africa.
What is the maturity period of yam?
8-11 months
Most edible yams normally reach maturity 8-11 months after planting, but some first harvest after 5 months. The growth period ends at the end of the rainy season.
What are the types of yam?
YamRepresentative speciesThe six (6) edible yam species are Dioscorea alata (water yam), Dioscorea rotundata (white guinea yam), Dioscorea esculanta (Chinese or lesser yam), Dioscorea cayenensis (yellow guinea yam), Dioscorea bulbifera (aerial or bulbils yam)and Dioscorea dumetorum (trifoliate or bitter yam) (Purseglove, 1972; Degras L. 1993).
What are the uses of yam?
11 Health and Nutrition Benefits of Yams
- Packed with nutrition. Yams are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
- May enhance brain function. Eating yams may boost your brain.
- May ease symptoms of menopause.
- May have cancer-fighting properties.
- May reduce inflammation.
- May improve blood sugar control.
- Easy to add to your diet.
What are the diseases of yam?
The field and storage diseases are presented, anthracnose is regarded as the most widely spread of all the field diseases, while yam mosaic virus disease is considered to cause the most severe losses in yams. Dry rot is considered as the most devastating of all the storage diseases of yam.
What is the common name for yam?
Air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera); leaves and aerial bulbils.
Pictures.
| Title | Leaves |
|---|---|
| Caption | Dioscorea alata (winged yam, uhi); leaves. Maui Nui Botanical Garden, Maui. November 06, 2006 |
Why are they called yams?
African slaves had already been calling the ‘soft’ sweet potatoes ‘yams’ because they resembled the yams in Africa. Thus, ‘soft’ sweet potatoes were referred to as ‘yams’ to distinguish them from the ‘firm’ varieties.
Where do yams come from?
Yams originated in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Africans call yams “nyami,” which is where we get the word “yam.” They are cylindrical and vary in size. Some of the largest yams have weighed more than 100 pounds and have been several feet long.
How are yams harvested?
Depending on the variety, yams are harvested 6 to 12 months after planting. Lift the tubers when the leaves and stems turn yellow and dry. Do not leave the ripe tubers too long in the ground, otherwise they become bitter and may rot. With some varieties, only one crop is harvested.
Which state is the largest producer of yam in Nigeria?
Benue
Benue is Nigeria’s largest yam producing state and records an average sale of 1.5 million yams a year.
Is yam a cash crop?
Yam is one of the most consumed major agric crops in Nigeria and it is also a cash crop in its own right as our country produces it in large quantities and can export it to other countries for huge revenues.
Where is the largest yam market located?
Benue State
A news report by Daily Trust claims the 200,000 capacity yam facility at the Zaki Biam International Market in Benue State is the largest in the world.
Where are yams grown in the world?
In the U.S., over 50% of the country’s sweetpotatoes are grown in North Carolina. Today, yams are grown around the world, but West Africa is still where most yam crops — nearly 95% — are grown.
Why are yams important in Nigeria?
For the Igbo and Yoruba people of Southern Nigeria, it symbolizes prosperity and fertility. For the Igbo people of South Eastern Nigeria, the yam crop is not just a harvest, but a symbol of hard work, wealth, and celebration. Since the early days, the harvest of yams represented the start of a new harvest season.
Where do yams grow best?
Yams require a fertile, well-drained soil with a high organic matter content. Plant at the beginning of summer in areas that receive a wet season. They will grow in full sun or semi-shade but need a trellis.
What fertilizer is good for yam?
Yams respond well to Organic Fertilizers like compost – a mixture of decayed organic matter composed of plant parts and animal manures.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.