Yam is a tropical crop
that exists in over 600 species. Nigeria is the world leading producers of yam.
Yam is a staple food belonging to the class of roots and tubers and it is a
major consumable in the West African region. Despite Nigeria being the largest
producers of yam, its high demand is hardly ever met. This has provided an
opportunity for a profitable farming business for people who can invest into
yam plantation farming. Yam is also associated with some social and religious
functions and this also has increased the economic value of yam. The popular
species of yam includes the water yam, the white yam, the white guinea yam and
the aerial yam. There are major benefits associated with the production of yam
and they include:
Yam is a major source
of carbohydrates and low in fat and it constitute a good source of energy. Yam is the major raw material for some processed food products like poundo yam and yam flour
Yam has some medicinal
properties, useful for heart stimulants due to its chemical composition which
are alkaloids of saponin and sapogenin.
Yam is useful for the
industrial production of starch.
Ritualism and festivity
is also associated with yam cultivation, yam festivals are held in the eastern
parts of the country to mark the harvesting of the crop.
Some communities also
associate yam with social functions like engagement ceremonies.
Yam is mostly easy to
cultivate and survives on a wide range of soil type.
Harvested yams have a
moderately shelf life of 5-6 months and this implies that it can be stored
between harvest and consumption.
Yam farming business is
a profitable venture that can be invested into on a small, medium and large
scale.