Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-fbnjt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T14:51:33.645Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Potential for clean yam minisett production by resource-poor farmers in the middle-belt of Nigeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 May 2009

S. MORSE ,
N. McNAMARA  and
M. ACHOLO
S. MORSE*
Affiliation:
Department of Geography, Whiteknights, University of Reading, ReadingRG6 6AB, UK
N. McNAMARA
Affiliation:
West Park, Artane, Dublin 5, Ireland
M. ACHOLO
Affiliation:
Diocesan Development Services, POB 114, Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria
*
*To whom all correspondence should be addressed. Email: s.morse@reading.ac.uk
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Yam minisett technique (YMT) has been promoted throughout West Africa since the 1980s as a sustainable means of producing clean yam planting material, but adoption of the technique is often reported as being patchy at best. While there has been much research on the factors that influence adoption of the technique, there have been no attempts to assess its economic viability under ‘farmer-managed’ as distinct from ‘on station’ conditions. The present paper describes the results of farmer-managed trials employing the YMT (white yam: Dioscorea rotundata) at two villages in Igalaland, Kogi State, Nigeria. One of the villages (Edeke) is on the banks of the River Niger and represents a specialist yam environment, whereas the other village (Ekwuloko) is inland, where farmers employ a more general cropping system. Four farmers were selected in each of the two villages and asked to plant a trial comprising two varieties of yam, their popular local variety as well as another variety grown in other parts of Igalaland, and to treat yam setts (80–100 g) with either woodash or insecticide/nematicide+fungicide mix (chemical treatment). Results suggest that while chemical sett treatment increased yield and hence gross margin compared with woodash, if household labour is costed then YMT is not economically viable. However, the specialist yam growers of Edeke were far more positive about the use of YMT as they tended to keep the yam seed tubers for planting rather than sell them. Thus, great care needs to be taken with planning adoption surveys on the assumption that all farmers should adopt a technology.

Type
Crops and Soils
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 147 , Issue 5 , October 2009 , pp. 589 - 600
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Aboagye-Nuamah, F., Offei, S. K., Cornelius, E. W. & Bancroft, R. D. (2005). Severity of spoilage storage rots of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.). Annals of Applied Biology 147, 183–190.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Acholo, M., Morse, S., McNamara, N., Flegg, L. & Oliver, R. P. (1997). Aetiology of yam (Dioscorea rotundata) tuber rots held in traditional stores in Nigeria: importance of Fusarium spp. and yam beetle. Microbiological Research 152, 293–298.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Adegbite, A. A., Saka, J. O., Agbaje, G. O., Owolade, O. F., Olaifa, G. O., Lawal, A. & Ojo, S. T. (2006). Survey of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with yams in Edo, Ekiti and Oyo States of Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research 1, 125–130.Google Scholar
Agbaje, G. O., Ogunsumi, L. O., Oluokun, J. A. & Akinlosotu, T. A. (2005). Survey of yam production systems and the impact of government policies in southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment 3, 222–229.Google Scholar
Agbaje, G. O. & Oyegbami, A. (2005). Survey on the adoption of yam minisett technology in South-Western Nigeria. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment 3, 134–137.Google Scholar
Agbede, T. M. (2006). Effect of tillage on soil properties and yam yield on an Alfisol in southwestern Nigeria. Soil and Tillage Research 86, 1–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Akoroda, M. C. & Okonmah, L. U. (1982). Sett production and germplasm maintenance through vine cuttings in yams. Tropical Agriculture 9, 311–314.Google Scholar
Alvarez, M. N. & Hahn, S. K. (1984). Seed yam production. In Tropical Root Crops: Production and Uses in Africa. Proceedings of the Second Triennial Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops – Africa Branch, held in Douala, Cameroon, 14–19 August 1983 (Eds Terry, E. R., Doku, E. V., Arene, O. B. & Mahungu, N. M.), pp. 129–132. Ottawa, Canada: IDRC.Google Scholar
Ameyan, O. (1986). Surface soil variability of a map unit on Niger River alluvium. Soil Science Society of America Journal 50, 1289–1293.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Asiabaka, C. C. (1992). The attitude of farmers towards the yam minisett technology in Imo State of Nigeria. In Proceedings of the 5th Symposium of the International Society of Tropical Root Crops – African Branch, Kampala, Uganda, 22–28 November 1992 (Ed. Akorode, M. O.), pp. 372–374. Owerri, Nigeria: School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology.Google Scholar
Asuming-Brempong, S. (1994). Yam for foreign exchange: potentials and prospects in Ghana. In Tropical Root Crops in a Developing Economy. Proceeding of the Ninth Symposium of International Society for Tropical Root Crops, 20–26 October 1991, Accra, Ghana (Eds Ofori, F. & Hahn, S. K.), pp. 382–387.Google Scholar
Asumugha, G. N. & Chinaka, C. C. (1992). Socio-economic and cultural variables influencing adoption of yam minisett technique in three eastern states of Nigeria. In Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Conference of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria (Eds Igbokwe, M. C., Eluagu, L. S., Asumugha, G. N. & Mbanason, J. A.), pp. 56–59.Google Scholar
Baco, M. N., Biaou, G., Pham, J. L. & Lescure, J. P. (2008). Geographical and social factors of cultivated yam diversity in northern Benin. Cahiers Agricultures 17, 172–177.Google Scholar
Bridge, J. (1982). Nematodes of Yams. In Yams – Ignames (Eds Miege, J. & Lyonga, S. N.), pp. 253–264. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Chikwendu, D. O., Chinaka, C. C. & Omotayo, A. M. (1995). Adoption of minisett technique for seed yam production by farmers in the Eastern Forest Zone of Nigeria. Discoveries and Innovations 7, 367–375.Google Scholar
Coimbra, J. L., Soares, A. C. F., Garrido, M. D. S., Sousa, C. D. S. & Ribeiro, F. L. B. (2006). Toxicity of plant extracts to Scutelloneam bradys. Pesquisa Agropecuaria Brasileira 41, 1209–1211.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Coursey, D. G. (1967). Yams. London: Longmans.Google Scholar
Coyne, D. L., Tchabi, A., Baimey, H., Labuschagne, N. & Rotifa, I. (2006). Distribution and prevalence of nematodes (Scutellonema bradys and Meloidogyne spp.) on marketed yam (Dioscorea spp.) in West Africa. Field Crops Research 96, 142–150.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Craufurd, P. Q., Summerfield, R. J., Asiedu, R. & Prasad, P. V. V. (2001). Dormancy in yams. Experimental Agriculture 37, 147–181.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Costa, W. A. J. M. & Sangakkara, U. R. (2006). Agronomic regeneration of soil fertility in tropical Asian smallholder uplands for sustainable food production. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 144, 111–133.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Diehl, L. (1982). Smallholder Farming Systems with Yam in the Southern Guinea Savannah of Nigeria. Germany: German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ).Google Scholar
Djokoto, L. K. & Kporfeame, G. C. (1990). Production prospects for yam minisett technology in Ghana. In Proceedings of the Eighth Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops (Ed. Howeler, R. H.), pp. 638–641. Bangkok, Thailand.Google Scholar
Doumbia, M. (1999). Identifying Priority Yam Research Areas in the West African Sub-continent. FAO Consultation Report. Rome: FAO.Google Scholar
Ezeh, N. O. A. (1991). Economics of seed yam production from minisetts in Umudike in Southeastern Nigeria: implications for commercial growers. In Tropical Root Crops in a Developing Economy. Proceedings of the 9th Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops, 20–26th October, Accra Ghana (Eds Ofori, F. & Hahn, S. K.), pp. 378–381.Google Scholar
FAO (1998). World Reference Base for Soil Resources. Rome, Italy: FAO, ISSS-AISS-IBG and ISRIC.Google Scholar
Gbedolo, Y. M. (1987). Factors limiting yam production in Benin. In Tropical Root Crops: Root Crops and the African food crisis. Proceedings of the 3rd Triennial Symposium of the ISTRC – Africa Branch, 17–23 August 1986, Owerii, Nigeria (Eds Terry, E. R., Akoroda, M. O. & Arene, O. B.), pp. 57–60. Ottawa, Canada: IRDC-CRDI.Google Scholar
Girardin, O., Nindjin, C., Farah, Z., Escher, F., Stamp, P. & Otokoré, D. (1998). Effect of storage system and sprout removal on post-harvest yam (Dioscorea spp.) fresh weight losses. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 130, 329–336.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hahn, S. K., Osiru, D. S. O., Akoroda, M. O. & Otoo, J. A. (1987). Yam production and its future prospects. Outlook on Agriculture 16, 105–110.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Igwilo, N. & Okoli, O. O. (1988). Evaluation of yam cultivars for seed yam production using the minisett technique. Field Crops Research 19, 81–89.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
IITA (1998). Project 13 research highlights. In International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Annual Report 1998, p. 62.Google Scholar
Ile, E. I., Craufurd, P. Q., Battey, N. H. & Asiedu, R. (2006). Phases of dormancy in yam tubers (Dioscorea rotundata). Annals of Botany 97, 497–504.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Iwueke, C. C., Mbata, E. N. & Okereke, H. E. (1983). Rapid Multiplication of Seed Yam Minisett Technique. Umudike Advisory Bulletin, No. 9. Umudike, Nigeria: National Root Crop Research Institute.Google Scholar
Iwueke, C. C., Okereke, H. E. & Iloka, A. W. (1985). Rapid Multiplication of Yam by Minisett Technique. Umudike Advisory Bulletin, No. 11. Umudike, Nigeria: National Root Crop Research Institute.Google Scholar
Jatala, P. & Bridge, J. (1990). Nematode parasites of root and tuber crops. In Plant Parasitic Nematodes in Subtropical and Tropical Agriculture (Eds Luc, M., Sikora, R. A. & Bridge, J.), pp. 137–180. Wallingford, UK: CAB International.Google Scholar
Kalu, B. A., Norman, J. C., Pal, U. R. & Adedzwa, D. K. (1989). Seed yam multiplication by the mini-sett technique in three yam species in a tropical guinea savannah location. Experimental Agriculture 25, 181–188.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kenyon, L., Nwankiti, A. O., Ekefan, E. & Peters, J. C. (1998). Chemical and hot-water Treatments to improve the survival of yam minisetts. Poster presented at 11th International Society for Tropical Root Crops symposium, Trinidad, November 1997. Tropical Agriculture 75, 150–151.Google Scholar
Lagemann, J. (1977). Traditional African Farming Systems in Eastern Nigeria. Munich, Germany: Weltforum, Verlag.Google Scholar
Marinho De Moura, R., Albuquerque, P. H., De Oliveira, I. S. & De Castro Torres, G. R. (2005). Effects of carbofuran application on commercial yam and seed tuber productions and on important plant parasitic nematode population densities associated to the crop. Namatologia Brasileira 29, 257–260.Google Scholar
Mignouna, H. D., Abang, M. M. & Asiedu, R. (2008). Genomics of yams, a common source of food and medicine in the tropics. In Genomics of Tropical Crop Plants (Eds Moore, P. H. & Ming, R.), pp. 549–570. New York: Springer.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morse, S., Acholo, M., McNamara, N. & Oliver, R. (2000). Control of storage insects as a means of limiting yam tuber fungal rots. Journal of Stored Products Research 36, 37–45.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nwauzor, E. C. (2001). Studies on the residual effect of neem leaves incorporated into the soil on nematode control in yam production. In National Root Crops Research Institute Annual Report of 2000 (Tuber Crops Department). Umudike, Nigeria: National Root Crops Research Institute.Google Scholar
Nwosu, L. (1975). Recent developments in vegetative propagation of edible yam (Dioscorea spp.). Proceedings of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria 12, 15.Google Scholar
Okigbo, R. N. & Nmeka, I. A. (2005). Control of yam tuber rot with leaf extracts of Xylopia aethiopica and Zingiber officinale. African Journal of Biotechnology 4, 804–807.Google Scholar
Okoli, O. O. (1986). Rapid propagation of yam by the minisett technique. In Global Workshop on Root and Tuber Crops Propagation. Proceedings of Regional Workshop, CIAT, Cali, Columbia, September 13–16 (Ed. Cock, J. K.), pp. 119–122.Google Scholar
Okoli, O. O. & Akoroda, M. O. (1995). Providing seed tubers for the production of food yams. African Journal of Root and Tuber Crops 1, 1–6.Google Scholar
Okoli, O. O. & Onwueme, I. C. (1980). Yam and the African food crises. In Proceedings of the First Symposium of ISTRC-AB, Ibadan, 8–12 September 1980, p. 163.Google Scholar
Okonmah, L. U. (1980). Rapid Multiplication of Yams. Manual Series No. 5. Ibadan, Nigeria: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.Google Scholar
Okonofua, B. U., Ogboghodo, I. A., Chokor, J. U. & Agbi, I. (2008). The effects of application of Cajanus cajan biomass to the soil on the yield of Dioscorea rotundata intercropped with maize (Zea mays). Legume Research 31, 77–78.Google Scholar
Oladeji, J. O. & Oyesola, O. B. (2006). Yam farmers' access to production resources in Kabba/Bunu local government area of Kogi State, Nigeria. Journal of New Seeds 8, 85–94.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Onwueme, I. C. (1978). Tropical Tuber Crops: Yam, Cassava, Sweet Potato, and Cocoyams. New York: John Wiley and Sons.Google Scholar
Onyenweaku, C. E. & Mbubah, C. (1991). The adoption of the yam ‘minisett’ technology by farmers in Anambra State of Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Agricultural Extension 6, 26–33.Google Scholar
Orkwor, G. C. (1998). The importance of yams. In Food Yams: Advances in Research (Eds Orkwor, G. C., Asiedu, R. & Ekanayake, I. J.), pp. 1–12. Ibadan, Nigeria: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.Google Scholar
Orkwor, G. C. & Adeniji, A. A. (1998). Production constraints and available technologies for food yam (Dioscorea spp.) production in Nigeria. In L'igname, plante séculaire et culture d'avenir. Actes du séminaire international Cirad-Inra-Orstom-Coraf, 3–6 juin 1997, Montpellier, France (Eds Berthaud, J., Bricas, N. & Marchand, J. L.), pp. 409–414. Montpellier, France: CIRAD.Google Scholar
Orkwor, G. C. & Asiedu, R. (1998). Yam agronomy. In Food Yams: Advances in Research. (Eds Orkwor, G. C., Asiedu, R. & Ekanayake, I. J.), pp. 105–141. Ibadan, Nigeria: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.Google Scholar
Otoo, E., Anchirinah, V. M., Ennin, S. A. & Asiedu, R. (2008). Sustainable yam production in Ghana: the non-staking option. Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment 6, 391–396.Google Scholar
Otoo, J. A. (1992). Substitutes for chemicals, sawdust and plastic mulch in improved seed yam production. In Promotion of Root Crop-based Industries: An Incentive for Research and Development. Proceedings of the Fourth Triennial Symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops – Africa Branch, Kinshasa, Zaire, 5th–8th December 1989 (Eds Akoroda, M. O. & Arene, O. B.), pp. 281–284. Ibadan, Nigeria: International Society for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC).Google Scholar
Otoo, J. A., Osiru, D. S. O., Ng, S. Y. & Hahn, S. K. (1987). Improved Technology for Seed Yam Production. Ibadan, Nigeria: International Institute of Tropical Agriculture.Google Scholar
Oyetunji, O. J. & Osonubi, O. (2008). The roles of improved cropping systems and an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus on yam productivity in degraded soil. Crop Research 35, 245–254.Google Scholar
Oyolu, O. (1982). Inherent constraints to high productivity and low production cost in yams (Dioscorea spp.) with special reference to Dioscorea rotundata Poir. In Yams – Ignames (Eds Miege, J. & Lyonga, S. N.), pp. 146–160. Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press.Google Scholar
Scarcelli, N., Tostain, S., Mariac, C., Agbangle, C., Dainou, O., Berthaud, J. & Pham, J. L. (2006 a). Genetic nature of yams (Dioscorea spp.) domesticated by farmers in Benin (West Africa). Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution 53, 121–130.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Scarcelli, N., Tostain, S., Vigouroux, Y., Agbangla, C., Dainou, O. & Pham, J.-L. (2006 b). Farmers’ use of wild relative and sexual reproduction in a vegetatively propagated crop. The case of yam in Benin. Molecular Ecology 15, 2421–2431.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vernier, P., Orkwor, G. C. & Dossou, A. R. (2003). Studies on yam domestication and farmers’ practices in Benin and Nigeria. Outlook on Agriculture 32, 35–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zannou, A., Ahanchede, A., Struik, P. C., Richards, P., Zoundjihekpon, J., Tossou, R. & Vodouhe, S. (2004). Yam and cowpea diversity management by farmers in the Guinea-Sudan transition zone of Benin. NJAS-Wageningen Journal of Life Sciences 52, 393–420.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zoundjihekpon, J., Dansi, A., Kouakou, A. M., Sanou, H., Hamon, P., Bocoon-Gibod, J. & Tio-Toure, B. (1998). Biotechnological strategies for yams: promoting food security in Africa. Cahiers Agricultures 7, 516–520.Google Scholar