Enhancing seed yam supply systems in West Africa

Seed yams are an essential input into the Dioscorea yam economy of West Africa. Till date, the agronomic separation of seed yam production from that of ware tuber production for food has not been fully achieved. ‘Milking’ of food tubers to get seed yam continues as a dominant channel of seed yam sup...

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Main Authors: Akoroda, M.O., Cladius-Cole, B., Kikuno, H., Okonkwo, C.C., Aighewi, B.A., Acha, A.I., Asiedu, Robert
Format: Conference Paper
Language:Inglés
Published: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture 2010
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/90581
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author Akoroda, M.O.
Cladius-Cole, B.
Kikuno, H.
Okonkwo, C.C.
Aighewi, B.A.
Acha, A.I.
Asiedu, Robert
author_browse Acha, A.I.
Aighewi, B.A.
Akoroda, M.O.
Asiedu, Robert
Cladius-Cole, B.
Kikuno, H.
Okonkwo, C.C.
author_facet Akoroda, M.O.
Cladius-Cole, B.
Kikuno, H.
Okonkwo, C.C.
Aighewi, B.A.
Acha, A.I.
Asiedu, Robert
author_sort Akoroda, M.O.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Seed yams are an essential input into the Dioscorea yam economy of West Africa. Till date, the agronomic separation of seed yam production from that of ware tuber production for food has not been fully achieved. ‘Milking’ of food tubers to get seed yam continues as a dominant channel of seed yam supply. Adoption studies indicate the lack of total acceptance of the various suggested procedures for obtaining seed yams by farmers. The relationship of biological feasibilities and economically profitable enterprise are yet to be integrated in any conclusive manner. Until this important socio-economic link is vigorously researched and promoted, our efforts at facilitating the growth and enhancement of the Dioscorea yam sector will remain weak. Efforts to obtain seed yams from vines or mini-setts are still rudimentary in commercial terms and the quantum of knowledge available is yet too low as it is an under-researched aspect of this staple crop. The few dozens of the publications on this important aspect are scattered and the realisation of their total value in the hands of yam farmers is still a long way away. This paper examines the spectrum of options for seed yam supply for commercial systems that produce ware food yam in West Africa—where over 90% of the world’s yam output is produced.
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spelling CGSpace905812023-02-15T06:34:34Z Enhancing seed yam supply systems in West Africa Akoroda, M.O. Cladius-Cole, B. Kikuno, H. Okonkwo, C.C. Aighewi, B.A. Acha, A.I. Asiedu, Robert yams supply chain seed yam Seed yams are an essential input into the Dioscorea yam economy of West Africa. Till date, the agronomic separation of seed yam production from that of ware tuber production for food has not been fully achieved. ‘Milking’ of food tubers to get seed yam continues as a dominant channel of seed yam supply. Adoption studies indicate the lack of total acceptance of the various suggested procedures for obtaining seed yams by farmers. The relationship of biological feasibilities and economically profitable enterprise are yet to be integrated in any conclusive manner. Until this important socio-economic link is vigorously researched and promoted, our efforts at facilitating the growth and enhancement of the Dioscorea yam sector will remain weak. Efforts to obtain seed yams from vines or mini-setts are still rudimentary in commercial terms and the quantum of knowledge available is yet too low as it is an under-researched aspect of this staple crop. The few dozens of the publications on this important aspect are scattered and the realisation of their total value in the hands of yam farmers is still a long way away. This paper examines the spectrum of options for seed yam supply for commercial systems that produce ware food yam in West Africa—where over 90% of the world’s yam output is produced. 2010 2018-01-25T14:06:44Z 2018-01-25T14:06:44Z Conference Paper https://hdl.handle.net/10568/90581 en Limited Access International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Akoroda, M.O., Cladius-Cole, B., Kikuno, H., Okonkwo, C.C., Aighewi, B.A., Acha, A.I. & Asiedu, R. (2010). Enhancing seed yam supply systems in West Africa. In: Proceedings of 10th ISTRC-AB symposium in Mozambique: root and tuber crops for poverty alleviation through science and technology for sustainable development, (p. 123-136), 8-12 October, Maputo.
spellingShingle yams
supply chain
seed yam
Akoroda, M.O.
Cladius-Cole, B.
Kikuno, H.
Okonkwo, C.C.
Aighewi, B.A.
Acha, A.I.
Asiedu, Robert
Enhancing seed yam supply systems in West Africa
title Enhancing seed yam supply systems in West Africa
title_full Enhancing seed yam supply systems in West Africa
title_fullStr Enhancing seed yam supply systems in West Africa
title_full_unstemmed Enhancing seed yam supply systems in West Africa
title_short Enhancing seed yam supply systems in West Africa
title_sort enhancing seed yam supply systems in west africa
topic yams
supply chain
seed yam
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/90581
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