Yam exporters cut losses and build profits |
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| Improving the domestic and export marketing system for yams in Ghana | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A series of recommendations are helping exporters and market agents in Ghana to realize the full income generation and market potential of yams. Previously, biological and economic losses took a high toll on crops destined for local and overseas markets. Now, thanks to improved yam quality and new training and promotional material, exports to Europe and the US are growing. The strengthening of links between yam producers and exporters has improved the quality and quantity of yams provided, eliminating the need for intermediaries and ensuring that advance orders and better market information are available to growers. Project Ref: CPH47:
Research Programmes: Crop Post-harvest Programme Relevant Research Projects:
Lead Institution: Natural Resources Institute, the University of Greenwich, UK. Lead person: D.Rees mailto:D.Reees@gre.ac.uk Tel +44 1634 883522 Partners:
Yam (Dioscorea spp.), especially white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) is a high value commodity in Ghana, but the full potential for income generation both through domestic markets and the export trade has not been realised due to problems and inefficiencies in the production, handling and trading systems. In the case of export this is clearly illustrated by problems of bad/inconsistent quality of yams on arrival at countries of importation such as the UK. This research programme (1996-2003) sought to develop and test integrated technical, economic, social and ecologically acceptable protocols to reduce biological and economic losses inherent in the current system, to improve the quality of yams destined for both local and overseas markets and to strengthen the links between yam producers and exporters. Detailed analysis of the existing system in Ghana resulted in the following outputs: a) Recommendations to improve the links between yam growers and traders in order to improve the quality and increase the quantity of yams provided by growers. Purchase of tubers for export directly from growers rather than through several middlemen as at present would improve quality. The recommended strategy also depends on providing more secure advanced orders and increased market information to growers, and development of a higher value domestic market to expand demand for quality produce. b) Recommendations for the improvement of seed yam quality to reduce fungal infections (other DFID outputs indicate the importance of using seed yams free from viral infection). c) Optimal curing, storage and transport conditions for a range of yam cultivars/species over a range of maturity. As well as improving handling strategies, this information would also valuably feed into breeding programmes for the production of yam cultivars with improved marketing potential. d) Strategies for improvement of quality during shipping for export by introducing temperature control, providing more accurate technical information to shippers, and clarifying the lines of responsibility. e) Improved methods of assessing quality both by sampling/destructive assessment and non-destructive quality assessment methods. The use of electronic sensor arrays has been developed but not yet to the stage of commercialisation. f) Production of extensive teaching materials in the form of leaflets, photographic material and a video with potential for use to train the stakeholders involved in the yam handling chain. g) Recommendations to improve the efficiency and profitability of yam export marketing.
The main commodity focus is Yam (Dioscorea spp.) However, many of the outputs relating to the organisation of marketing and export trade would be relevant to the development of trade of other commodities of similar value, such as sweetpotato. Outputs relating to the relationship between traders and growers are of relevance to a wide range of marketed crops.
Information that could be used to address two of the identified constraints has been obtained through other projects. Given that infected seed yams are an important source of fungal infections in harvested ware yams the selection and use of clean planting material can reduce losses and increase income generation for growers. Likewise, although not addressed within this project, the use of planting material free from viral infection is very important. Strategies to produce seed yams free of both fungal and viral infection are addressed in the RNRRS output "Clean yam seed material: Lawrence Kenyon R8416, R7503" Stronger links between growers and traders, together with improved flow of market information have also been identified as an important constraint to efficient marketing of yams. This issue was also addressed in the project cluster "Cassava as a commercial / industrial commodity Andrew Graffham Nanam Dziedzoave R6504, R7418, R8268, R8432" where cassava growers were linked effectively with processing industries. In this context also, the lessons learnt from East Africa as outlined in the RNRRS output "Market Information tools: Ulrich Kleih R8250" could add value very effectively to the outputs given here. The project "Managing for value - the COProM management model for access to viable markets Nanam Dziedzoave, Andrew Graffham R8432" developed a model for successful commercialisation of cooperative ventures in Ghana. How the outputs were validated: For an improved handling strategy to be successful depends on:
This programme was designed in such a way that interventions were developed, and, wherever possible, validated with a range of stakeholders during the course of the programme. In practice validation during the project was more feasible for the technical than socioeconomic outputs. Examples of validation of technical findings during the project include:
Aspects of the project have been validated independently after the end of the project. At the end of the project technical recommendations of the project were disseminated in the form of a booklet "Enhancing the production and supply of good quality yams in Ghana". Feedback from Post Harvest Officers of MOFA, Agricultural Extension Agents and exporters indicate that in the light of their experiences they agree with the project findings. A recent visit by the Ghanaian project manager to the pack-house of one of the major yam exporters (K. Laast Co.) involved in the project, showed that the exporter had adopted most of the recommendations of the project. Thus. yams were now sourced from the production area and brought straight to the pack-house thus minimizing the number of times which the produce has to be loaded/unloaded, and reducing mechanical damage. According to the exporter this practice together with careful sorting and cleaning increases quality and leads to more quality tubers being exported. As a result, business was going well, and the company is expanding the pack-house and building new office and residential accommodation for the staff. In view of the finding that poor temperature control during shipping was a problem, some exporters (Deloni and K. Laast) have tried reefer containers for export of the commodity. According to the General Manager of the Designated National Yam Export Pack House the quality of yams exported in such containers is better. However, K. Laast who use reefer containers to some destinations (Spain) to which ships only have reefer facilities finds that losses are higher than those incurred without temperature control. We believe that these contradictory findings indicate continued confusion over the optimal storage conditions. Where the Outputs were Validated: This project has been conducted (and validated) in Ghana, except where export consignments of yams have been followed into the UK. Validation of technical aspects of the project undertaken during the course of the programme (1996-2003) occurred in project areas. These covered the yam growing regions of Brong Ahafo Region (Techiman District: Fiaso village, Atebubu District: Nyomoase village Sene District), Volta Region (Nkwanta District: Kete-Krachi District) and Northern Region (Salaga District). The social groups targeted were the growers (poor rural small holders), traders, generally with higher incomes, and exporters who had access to reasonable capital. The main production systems where the outputs were validated were "High potential and Forest/Agriculture" The main agricultural systems where the outputs were validated were "Irrigated" and "Small holder rain fed humid" Who are the Users? The outputs of this project are being used primarily by exporters/market agents, extension officers, and government organisations. The larger and more enterprising exporters/market agents who were involved in the project have taken on board and successfully implemented many of the recommendations of the project relating to links with growers, grading, handling and shipping practices. As a result, they appear to have significantly increased their turnover (see 10). The Ghanaian Government has been proactive in trying to improve export yam quality and thus promote yam exports both to Europe and the US. Some of the project recommendations have informed government policy, although there are also issues where this is not the case (e.g. when poor yam quality was detected in the US, the government made air-freighting compulsory, although our project findings indicate that better shipping conditions could have solved the problem). Extension officers are using the promotional material produced by the project for training purposes. Where the outputs have been used: Outputs are being used primarily in Ghana, in the yam growing regions of Brong Ahafo Region (Techiman District: Fiaso village, Atebubu District: Nyomoase village Sene District), Volta Region (Nkwanta District: Kete-Krachi District) and Northern Region (Salaga District) and in the urban centres (especially Accra) where trading takes place. There is some indication that the outputs are spreading across into Nigeria. For example, a Nigerian businessman, seeking to develop the yam export trade from Nigeria, travelled to Ghana for training after seeing the dissemination booklet "Enhancing the production and supply of good quality yams in Ghana" on the internet (David Crentsil personal communication). The main production systems where the outputs are currently being used are "High potential and Forest/Agriculture" The main agricultural systems where the outputs are currently being used are "Irrigated" and "Small holder rain fed humid" Scale of Current Use: With no mechanism of continual assessment in place, it is difficult to be sure of the scale of uptake/use of project findings. However, observations made by MoFA indicate that current use of project outputs is primarily by the larger more enterprising exporters, as these are the organisations that had access to project dissemination, and the resources to implement them. Their activities will, of course, have impact on the growers with which they interact. There is little indication that in the absence of further dissemination usage is spreading beyond these specific exporters, except the example of the Nigerian businessman travelling to Ghana for training as described in (10) . Policy and Institutional Structures, and Key Components for Success: So far all dissemination of project outputs has been carried out by MoFA, through workshops and dissemination literature. Although curtailed by the end of the project in 2003, this has so far proved to be an effective mechanism as MoFA has links with all the key players (i.e. directly with traders in Accra, and with growers and traders in growing areas through extension officers). However, efficient promotion and adoption of the outputs in Ghana also depends on effective regulation of the yam trade (both domestic and export) through government controls and trade organisations. Particularly in the past 3-4 years, the Ghanaian government has placed an emphasis on developing yam exports, and this has created an environment where outputs could be adopted more effectively than previously. Important government activities include: · Establishment of a single designated National Yam Export Pack House in which all documentations relating to yam exports are prepared. This pack house is located at Tema, close to the Port. From here the consignments are trucked under seal to a scanning machine from where they are sent direct to the ships. · Rationalisation of bureaucracy of export with agencies now located under one roof (Plant Protection & Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food & Agriculture (MOFA), The Ghana Standards Board (GSB) and Customs, Excise and Preventive Services (CEPS) · Redesignation of yam as a traditional crop, thereby bringing in regulations on establishment of letters of credit by the importers, payment of export tax and the strict adherence to standards, enforcement of which is done by the agencies listed above (PPRSD, GSB and CEPS). · Provision of training for growers by Agricultural Extension Agents on good agricultural practices in yam production as well as good handling and storage practices, all meant to ensure that good quality yam tubers are produced and made available for sale. · Provision of market information on weekly prices of yam at the major marketing centres. Direct and Indirect Environmental Benefits: Generally the outputs from this cluster are focused towards income generation for poor communities in such a way that is environmentally neutral. However, outputs from this project cluster that decrease post-harvest losses will have a beneficial environmental impact as they will increase land-use efficiency, potentially reducing the land area needed for agricultural production. Adverse Environmental Impacts: No serious adverse environmental impacts have been identified, although it is possible that where it becomes financially more attractive to grow yams, the area of land used for agricultural production may increase and that this may have an environmentally damaging impact. None of the technologies considered involve the use of chemicals which persist within the environment. Coping with the Effects of Climate Change, or Risk from Natural Disasters: Yes, to some extent. The crop already provides a valuable source of income for those producers who sell a part of their harvest, while exports of the commodity generate valuable foreign exchange earnings. Increased income generation both through local and national markets will provide communities with capital which provides the necessary flexibility to increase resilience to natural disasters. Likewise an increase in food supply will contribute to an increase in resilience. Yam is the second major staple in tonnage terms after cassava. It is grown mainly by smallholders, covering approximately 10% of the country's cultivated land. Although its main importance is probably as a source of income, its role in food security should not be overlooked. Clearly outputs that decrease post-harvest losses will improve food security, and the ability of poorer communities to cope with the stresses of natural disasters. Relevant Research Projects,
with links to the
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For relevant research projects, with links to further information Geographical regions included: Europe, Ghana, USA,  Target Audiences for this content:Crop farmers, Processors, Traders, |
