Crops, forest products, pest control
Root and tuber crops
Research reports for "yams"
Root and tuber crops
Research reports for "yams"
- Giving seed-yams the credit they deserve
Ways of producing ‘clean’ healthy seed-yams, and an innovative micro-credit scheme, are helping to combat falling yam yields and declining yam quality in West Africa. Because farmers use pieces of tuber to plant their next yam crop, any pests and diseases in the soil get carried over into that crop. Breaking that cycle is easy, however, using the ‘mini-sett’ technique - which involves dipping small pieces of tuber in a mix of insect - and fungus-killing pesticides before planting. A micro-credit facility is also proving valuable to seed-yam producers in Kogi State, Nigeria. These advances can be used throughout West Africa and India, where yam is an important staple food. Posters and fact sheets on yam pests and diseases, and on the ‘mini-sett’ system, are also available. (Ref: CPP25) - Yam exporters cut losses and build profits
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. (Ref: CPH47) - Farmers learn to make the most of seed
Good crops start with good seed. A new manual and set of posters are now available to help farmers make the most of seed. Most farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa don’t buy seed: they save their own or trade with other farmers. But, this arrangement often doesn’t work - drought, pests, diseases, civil wars or other troubles mean they just don’t have enough good quality seed. Over 1000 smallholder vegetable farmers in Kiambu District, Kenya, learned the best ways of choosing, drying and storing seed by discovering for themselves. Now, government staff in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania use these methods to help extension workers and other farmers make sure they have reliable supplies of healthy seed for vegetables, sorghum, yam, cassava, groundnuts, sweet potato, maize, and beans. (Ref: CPP69)
Root and tuber crops
- "roots and tubers" (19)
- cassava (13)
- "cassava chips" (1)
- "cassava flour" (4)
- "cassava starch" (1)
- "cassava mosaic" (2)
- "cassava virus" (1)
- ginger (1)
- potatoes (15)
- "potato tuber moth" (1)
- "potato wilt" (1)
- "sweet potatoes" (8)
- "sweet potato chips" (1)
- "sweet potato flour" (1)
- "sweet potato virus" (3)
- yams (3)
