IITA trains Cross River farmers on improved yam production

International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and Farmers Home Foundation (FMF) have provided training to more than 100 farmers in Cross River to enhance yam production in Nigeria.

Precious Okon Ndem, the Cross River state coordinator of Farmers Home Foundation, told Tribune Online that farmers will receive training on high-quality seed yam tubers and effective agronomic practices to ensure they can plant and harvest quality yams.

In her remarks, Ndem praised Amb Chioma Onyedika, the National President of FHF, for her advocacy project aimed at promoting food security by providing free training from professionals to farmers on effective yam farming techniques throughout the year.

Flagging off the activities for yam seed development, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development in Cross River State, Johnson Ebokpo highlighted that the government will no relent in its effort towards food security.

“We are not playing politics when it comes to Agriculture because there’s a lot of money in Agriculture. This is the beginning of the season of sweetness that will outlive this administration. We were scale up this activity.

The Training of Trainers session on seed and food yam enterprise which was anchored by Dr Pelemo Olugboyega of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) focused on enhancing yam breeding for increased productivity and improved quality in Nigeria.

In his presentation, Olugboyega mentioned that IITA has introduced more than 10 varieties of crops in Nigeria across 14 states, including Benue, Cross River, Ekiti, FCT, Kaduna, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, and Taraba, with Sharp-sharp (2024) being the latest release.

He said the technologies would help in tackling challenges of high propagation of yams.

Olugboyega stated that “100 per cent water yam flour could be used to bake confectioneries like bread, cakes and cookies while only 20 per cent of cassava could be used with 80 per cent wheat.

“Yam cultivation consists of a series of interconnected processes influenced by seasonal changes, indigenous knowledge, and religious practices. Each annual cycle of yam farming includes land preparation, planting, weeding, staking, harvesting, storage, and marketing, all of which carry significant financial and labor considerations.

“The yam is an esteemed cultural crop intimately connected to significant events such as marriages, chieftain ceremonies, conflict resolutions, peace agreements, and religious offerings. Reflecting its economic importance, 31.8% of Nigeria’s population relies on yams for their food and income stability,” he asserted.