Yam Minisett Research Articles

Yam minisett processing machinery, viability analysis

Yam minisett processing machinery, viability analysis

ADOPTION OF IMPROVE YAM PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGIES IN MEME DIVISION, SOUTH WEST REGION, CAMEROON

This study assessed farmers’ awareness of improve yam technologies, adoption of the technologies and constraints to adoption. The major yam producing zones in Meme (Kumba and Mbonge) were selected. Kumba-Mbeng and Buea-Road (Kumba) and Mbalangi and Mile 40 (Mbonge) were purposively chosen on the criteria of quantity of yams produced, security and accessibility. Through snowball sampling technique, a sample of 90 farmers was constituted. A questionnaire was used for data collection and collected data analyzed using SPSS software and Microsoft Excel. The results revealed that 53.3% of farmers were aware of improve yam production technologies. Organic manure was the most known technology (62.5%) while the least known was the use of ropes as vine support (20.8%). Organic manure was the most adopted technology (60.5%) while the yam minisett was the least adopted technology (13.1%). The main constraints to adoption were a lack of follow-up by extension agencies and insufficient information to convince farmers. Despite poor acquisition and practice of these technologies, extension agencies should be encouraged to increase the level of communication and implementation by farmers.

Technical performance evaluation of a double row tractor operated yam minisett planter

Uniformity in plant spacing, evenness of dropping, planter capacity and among others has been identified as constraints facing planter performance. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the technical performance of the developed double row yam minisett (DRYM) planter. Category (I) tractor 50 hp was used to carry out field trials to determine the metering efficiency, effective field capacity, evenness of dropping, fuel consumption and wheel slippage. Three (3) yam varieties (pona, dente and CRI afase biri) of the average weight of 50 g with moisture content (82 %) were used for the test. Multivariate and (ANOVA) statistical method was used for analyzing the similarities among the tractor speed using OriginPro 2018 software. Metering efficiency (80.4%), effective field capacity (3.84 h/ha), field efficiency (66.6%), evenness of dropping (81.00%), and wheel slip (3.39%) were recorded. The use of developed planter will be expected to reduce human drudgery and also timeliness improvement. The study concluded that planter should be used on relatively flat (ploughed-harrowed) land to avoid wheel not touching the ground.

Development of a Double Row Tractor Operated Yam Minisett Planter

Drudgery in manual yam minisett planting was identified as a major constraint facing yam cultivation in Ghana. The main objective of the study was to develop a double row yam minisett (DRYM) planter using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). A potato planter was adopted and modified to suit the design of DRYM planter. The main task was to perform 3D modeling of the planter major components using FEA method. Analysis of systems (ANSYS) software was used for FEA. Minisett and soil physical properties were factored into the design processes. Total deformation and equivalent (Von-Mises) stress were 0.442 mm and 7.37 MPa for hopper; 0.01 mm and 9.18 MPa for ridger bottom and that of furrow opener were 1.8-0.6 mm and 6.27 MPa, respectively. Maximum total deformation and equivalent (Von-Mises) stress were below material specification of 50 mm and 250 MPa for structural steel, and 20 mm and, 440 MPa for mild steel, respectively. The study concluded that the entire design was within the material property and permissible stress limits of the materials used. Yam planter development will enhance farmer satisfaction.

Comparative Analysis of Manual and Mechanised Yam Minisett Planting

Pain in yam cultivation has been identified as critical areas in yam cultivation. The aim of the study was to compare the manual and mechanised yam minisett planting. To address this problem, heart rate (HR) of workers during mounding and ridging, and planting were measured as well as assessing economic feasibility in mechanising yam planting. Polar watch (RS 800 CX) was used to measure HR of the operations. Hoe and cutlasses were used for mounding and ridging. The HR of tractor operator during planting was determined. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were done using GenStat software (VSN International, 2011). Statistical significance was carried out at p<0.05. The field capacity was 3.84 and 1.45 h/ha for mechanised and manual, respectively. The mean HR was 112.80 and 112.7 bpm for mounding and ridging respectively while 112.00, 132.00 bpm for mechanised and manual, respectively. Mechanised yam minisett planting reduces labour cost by 50%.

The role of plant health in the sustainable production of seed yams in Nigeria: A challenging nexus between plant health, human food security, and culture

AbstractYam (Dioscorea rotundata) is a root and tuber crop throughout West Africa and has significant nutritional, economic, and cultural value, which underpins its importance for the food security of many people who live there. The crop is propagated vegetatively, primarily via the planting of small whole tubers (seed yams) and pieces (setts) cut from larger tubers. However, the use of such vegetative material means that a variety of pests (primarily insects and nematodes) and diseases (primarily fungal and viral) can carry over and multiply from season to season. This paper sets out the plant health issues associated with yam, and how these have been addressed by improving the availability of good quality planting material, especially via the Yam Minisett Technique (YMT) and the more recently developed Adapted Yam Minisett Technique (AYMT). Both approaches are based on the planting of “minisetts” treated with pesticide to produce seed yam free of pests and fungal pathogens, but there have been challenges regarding their adoption by farmers. The paper explores these challenges and how these attempts to improve plant health fit into a wider discussion of the sustainability of yam production in West Africa given that there are other driving forces of climate change, globalization, and urbanization at play in the region.

An evaluation of farmers’ adoption of yam minisett technology in Agricultural Zone 3, Rivers State, Nigeria

The study investigated farmers’ adoption of yam minisett technology in Agricultural Zone 3, Rivers State, Nigeria. The objectives of the study were to examine farmers’ level of awareness of yam minisett technology in the study area, to access the extent of adoption of yam minisett production technique in the study area, examine the constraints to adoption of yam minisett technology in the study area and to determine the influence of yam minisett utilization on the yield of yam in the study area. The study adopted a survey research design. A sample of 360 farmers was selected using random sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation were used to analyze and realize the objectives of the study. The findings of the study reveal that farmers in the study area had low awareness level about the yam minisett technology and adoption of the yam minisett technology. Cost of innovations, lack of technical efficiency and low sprouting rate of minisetts, poor extension delivery service and the top-down extension approach which does not take cognizance of farmers-identified production problems, lack of youth participation and involvement in farming (yam production) as a result of search for white-collar jobs, socio-economic characteristics such as educational level or background, and lack of land to commercially produce in quantity, among others are constraints to the adoption of yam minisett technology in the study area. It was recommended that the farmers should be encouraged to engage in training and to seek financial assistance in order to overcome the problem of scarcity and high cost of inputs.

Environmental and economic impacts of pesticide treatment in the Yam Minisett Technique

AbstractWhite yam (Dioscorea rotundata) is an important tuber crop in a number of countries, but especially in West Africa where it serves as a food staple as well as a cash crop as excess production is sold in local markets. But the availability of quality planting material, most notably seed yams, for yam production remains an important constraint for farmers. Techniques have been developed to help address this limitation by cutting yam tubers into pieces (minisetts), treating them with the pesticide either via a seed dressing dust or pesticide ‘dips’ and planting to grow seed yams of the required size and quality. But while there have been many studies on the agronomy and adoption by farmers of these techniques, there have been fewer studies on their economic performance. Indeed, to date there have been no studies that compare the economic performance of treating setts compared to leaving them untreated, and neither has there been any analysis of the environmental impact of treating setts. This paper reports the results of a study designed to address these two gaps in knowledge and is based upon results from a series of farmer-managed seed yam plots established in the middle belt of Nigeria over 4 years (2013–2016). Results suggest that revenue and gross margin were higher for treated versus untreated setts although the latter still performed relatively well. Using the Field Use Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ), the commonly recommended pesticide sett treatments were estimated to have a low-to-moderate environmental impact, and further research is needed to see how far pesticide use can be reduced to still be effective and minimise any environmental impact.

Potential returns to yam research investment in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

Lack of good-quality planting materials has been identified as the most severe problem militating against increased agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and beyond. However, investment of research efforts and resources in addressing this menace will only be feasible and worthwhile if attendant economic gains are considerable. As a way of investigating the economic viability of yam investment, this research has been initiated to address problems confronting yam productivity in eight countries of SSA and beyond: Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Papua New Guinea, Jamaica, and Columbia. Research options developed were to be deployed and disseminated. Key technologies include the adaptive yam minisett technique (AYMT), varieties adapted to low soil fertility and drought, nematode-resistant cultivars (NRC), and crop management and postharvest practices (CMPP). This article aims at estimating the potential economic returns, the expected number of beneficiaries, and poverty reduction consequent to the adoption of technology options. Estimates show that the new land area that will be covered by the technologies in the eight countries will range between 770,000 ha and 1,000,000 ha with the highest quota accounted for by AYMT. The net present value will range between US$584 and US$1392 million and was highest for the NRC. The CMPP had the lowest benefit-cost ratio of 7.74. About 1,049,000 people would be moved out of poverty by these technologies by 2037 in the region. These technologies are less responsive to changes in cost than that in adoption rate. Therefore, the realization of the potential economic gains depends on the rate and extent of adoption of these technologies. Giving the knowledge-intensive nature of some of these interventions, capacity building of potential adopters will be critical to increasing the sustainability of the yam sector, thereby enhancing food security and reducing poverty.

Pesticide residues in seed yams produced using the adaptive Yam Minisett Technique

ABSTRACT This paper provides the results of the first research designed to test for pesticide residue analysis conducted on seed yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir) tubers produced via the Adaptive Yam Minisett technique (AYMT). AYMT uses a pesticide-based water dip to treat setts (~75 g) cut from a yam tuber, and these setts are planted to produce healthy seed yams. While the dip is known to be effective in terms of sett survival in the field along with quantity and yield of seed yams produced, one potential issue is the carry-over of chlorpyrifos from treated setts into the seed yams. The research reported here describes the results from an experimental plot established in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria designed to address this issue. A total of 54 seed yam tubers (18 seed yams from each plot) were analyzed from control (untreated), half-dose and full-dose pesticide dip treatments and results show that there is no carryover of chlorpyrifos from treated setts into the seed yams. There may also be potential to significantly reduce pesticide concentration in the dip, although this requires further research before a new recommendation can be developed.

Challenges to the Adoption of Agricultural Innovations: The Case of Yam Minisett Technology in Kwara State, Nigeria

Challenges to the Adoption of Agricultural Innovations: The Case of Yam Minisett Technology in Kwara State, Nigeria

Effect of Planting Depth and Orientation on Germination of Yam (Dioscorea) Minisett

Effect of Planting Depth and Orientation on Germination of Yam (Dioscorea) Minisett

Assessment of the Adoption of Yam Minisett Technology in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Assessment of the Adoption of Yam Minisett Technology in Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Analysis of Yam Minisett technique adoption in Nigeria

ABSTRACTWhite yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.) is an important tuber crop grown throughout West Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Propagation of the crop is primarily vegetative, through the use of small whole tubers (seed yams) and cut pieces of tuber (setts) planted to produce the larger tubers (ware yams) that households consume and sell. The Yam Minisett Technique (YMT) was introduced in Nigeria in the late 1970s as a means of increasing the production of seed yams. The YMT is different from many other agricultural technologies in that it requires farmers to do something – cut their tubers into small pieces – which they feel based on experience is potentially damaging as it causes rot. Indeed, the existing literature suggests that adoption of the YMT tends to be low and variable. However, to date there has been no systematic analysis of the existing literature on YMT adoption designed to explore which factors are reported to be the most important and why. Hence, the objective of this paper is to analyze the YMT adoption studies published to date to explore which factors are particularly important, and how this may help guide future research in YMT adoption. The results suggest that uncertainty – risk and ambiguity aversion – as perceived by farmers is a key consideration in YMT adoption and needs to be considered in future work.

Agronomic and economic performance of seed yam production using minisetts in the middle belt of Nigeria

ABSTRACTWhite yam (Dioscorea rotundata) is an important tuber crop of West Africa and the Caribbean, and one of the key limiting factors in its production is the availability of good quality planting material. The Adaptive Yam Minisett Technique (AYMT) was designed to help overcome this constraint. The paper presents an analysis of agronomic and economic data collected across four years (2013 to 2016) of AYMT plots planted in two areas within the middle-belt of Nigeria. Of the 136 plots that were established, 11% were lost to flooding and damage from Fulani cattle. Mean yield was 13.16 t/ha, 17,747 tubers/ha and the mean tuber weight was 0.73 kg. Plot yield declined with an increase in planting time, while plots owned by female farmers were on average planted later than those owned by their male counterparts; this helps explain the effect of gender noted in a previous study. Differences in yield were also noted between the two areas, which could also partly be explained by differences in planting time. The plots were profitable, with a mean cost over the four years of Naira 915,196/ha, revenue of Naira 3,197,786/ha and gross margin of Naira 2,282,591/ha (equivalent to US$4,039, US$14,319 and US$10,280 respectively). The main factor influencing costs and revenue was year, with no effect of gender. There is a need for more research on planting time in AYMT and how it interacts with factors, such as yam variety.

Factors Influencing Farmer Output in the International Fund for Agricultural Development Community-Based Project in Abia and Cross River Sates, Nigeria

Abstract This study analysed factors influencing International Fund for Agricultural Development Community-Based Natural Resource Management Programme arable crop farmers’ output in Abia and Cross River states, Nigeria. A multistage random sampling procedure was used to select 240 IFAD farmers (120 each for Abia and Cross River states). Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (multiple regression and Chow’s test analyses). Results from the study showed that Abia farmers realized 26tons/ha, 55tons/ha and 2.3tons/ha from cassava, yam minisett and sole maize respectively, while Cross River farmers realised 23tons/ha (cassava), 51tons/ha (yam minisett) and 2.2tons/ha (sole maize). The result also revealed that Abia farmers had an adoption index of 64% each for cassava and yam minisett and 63% for maize, while Cross River farmers had 63% adoption index for each of the arable crop technologies. Chow’s test revealed that wage rate (14.51***) and farm size (3.52***), education (3.29***), capital inputs (4.38***) and extension contact (3.69***) influenced output of arable crop framers in Abia and Cross River states. The study recommends review of Land Use Act of 1990 and increased extension contact in order to boost farmers output.

A Tobit Analysis of Propensity to Discontinue Adoption of Yam Minisett Technology among Farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria

This study analyzed farmers’ propensity to discontinue adoption of yam minisett technology in Anambra State, Nigeria. Data were collected in 2015 with validated questionnaire from 134 proportionately and randomly selected yam farmers. Data collected were analyzed using the Tobit model. Results of the estimation showed that significant variables leading to discontinuance of adopted yam minisett technology were extension visit, participation in extension related workshops, feedback provision, input availability, and perception of yield. Foremost among these factors were extension visits and participated in extension related workshops which therefore should be sustained after farmers have adopted a technology.

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE AGRONOMIC PERFORMANCE OF THE ADAPTED YAM MINISETT TECHNIQUE IN NIGERIA – PLANTING DATE AND GENDER OF THE FARMER

SUMMARYThis paper describes the results of 3 year's data from farmers using the Adaptive Yam Minisett Technique (AYMT) to produce seed yams in Nigeria. A total of 30 sites were established each year between 2013 and 2015 in the Idah area (Kogi State) of Nigeria and 58 plots in the Amoke area (Benue State) in 2015. Each site had yam setts (80 to 100 g) untreated and treated with a pesticide ‘dip’ prior to planting and farmers (male and female) were free to select the variety and manage the sites as they wished. In line with previous research, the results suggest that treatment does increase the weight of tubers produced by a sett but not necessarily the number of tubers. Varietal differences were also observed. For the first time, the results suggest that the time of planting does have a significant impact on seed tuber weight, with later planting leading to small tubers. Also, the gender of the farmer had an impact on some of the agronomic variables, with male owners of the site generally producing more and larger tubers per sett planted and sprouted than female owners. Various mechanisms for the latter are discussed in the paper.

Fostering entrepreneurship to help provide a sustainable clean seed yam production system in flood prone areas of Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria

ABSTRACTThe article outlines some of the findings and insights achieved from efforts to establish a sustainable seed yam (Dioscorea rotundata) supply system in Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria. The activity was part of a project entitled “Yam Improvement for Income and Food Security in West Africa,” spanning from 2012 to 2016, and this article covers the results of a novel and ambitious intervention designed to establish seed yam entrepreneurs as part of a wider initiative to establish a sustainable seed yam value chain in an area where none had previously existed. Seed yam production by the entrepreneurs was based on the adapted yam minisett technique (AYMT) and results between 2013 and 2015 suggest that the agronomic performance of AYMT under “farmer-managed” conditions was good, with reasonable yields of yam and an average weight (0.8 kg) in the required range for grade 1 seed yams. The entrepreneurs achieved a good economic return (gross margin) and this translated into a return on investment of around 400–600%. However, for the seed yam system to be sustainable in the Idah area, there is a need to establish a value chain that links traders with growers.

Factors limiting the yam minisett technique adoption: A review

The yam minisett technique was developed to overcome the scarcity of seed yams, and has been introduced to farmers more than any other scientifically improved yam propagation method. However, the adoption rate of this technique has not significantly improved over the years. This paper presents an overview of the factors contributing to the low adoption rate of the technique since its deployment in Nigeria. Three main classes of factors influencing the adoption of the yam minisett technology are presented; informational factors, technical factors and economic factors. Among the informational factors, low rate of extension contact coupled with low membership of social groups has negative impacts on the level of awareness of the technology. Issues relating to technical and economic limitations are the major challenges faced by the minisett technique adopters. Among these, the low survival and sprouting rate of minisetts, high labour costs and low level of capital are of utmost importance.