Yam could liberate Africa from excessive rice consumption – Expert

Ibadan – A Geneticist at the University of
Ibadan, Dr Morufat Balogun, on Sunday said
Nigeria produced 70 per cent of the yam grown
annually and globally.
Balogun, who is also a researcher at the
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
(IITA), Ibadan, said this in an interview in
Ibadan.
She said while Nigeria grew 70 per cent of yam
annually, other countries shared the remaining
30 per cent.
She said that between 37 and 40 million of
metric tons of yam were produced in the world
annually.
“Nigeria alone produces 70 per cent of yam
every year all over the world, the remaining 30
per cent is shared among Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire,
Togo and Benin Republic,” Balogun said.
She said in some areas in Southern America,
some varieties of the commodity were also
produced adding that the production of yam
both for import and export largely depended on
Nigeria.

“If Nigeria stops to produce yam today, the
global production of yam will reduce by 70 per
cent and it will affect exportation,’’ she said.
The expert said that production of yam if
properly harnessed, could turn around the
standard of living of millions of farmers and
other investors interested in the business.
She advised farmers to plant more yam so as
to improve the economy, saying that the crop
could liberate Africa from excessive rice
consumption. (NAN)

Source: vanguard