Nigeria to produce seed yams for export

The technical committee on Nigeria Yam Export Programme is working with the University of Agriculture, Umudike and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to produce seed yams for export.

The committee was charged with the responsibilities of finding markets for Nigerian yams in the world and providing market information on weekly prices of yam at the major marketing centres abroad.

Speaking in Lagos, Prof. Simon Irtwang, chairman of the committee, disclosed that the seed yams would be given to farmers to plant exclusively for export.

“One of the challenges with the flag-off of yams exported in June 2017 was that the yams were exposed to the sun before being selected for export. Once yams are exposed in the sun for long, the process of decay sets in gradually.

“With special seed yams, the structures to have a good quality of seed yams for export will be set in motion. This will help and ensure that future yam exports withstand the temperatures in all the countries that the yams will be sent to,’’ he said.


Irtwang said the technical committee would consider the post-harvest handling of yams for export to ensure they meet international standard. He said yam exporters must be familiar with the processes of handling as well as the other varieties and species not good for export.

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