Enhanced yam farming: improved planting material in West Africa

Ghana is a country with numerous small-holder farms, where farmers operate on small scale. Despite their hard work, many of them have production issues, resulting in the loss of around 30 to 40% of their harvest due to diseases. Additionally, a portion of the harvest is preserved for the next cultivation.

Creating an one-way system

Iribov aims to introduce a healthy yam planting system in Ghana, akin to the system used for potatoes in Europe. Instead of the traditional method on which farmers preserve part of their material for the next planting, potentially carrying forward diseases, this one-way system allows each planting to start with clean planting material, increasing yield for the farmer.

Providing clean start material

In our laboratory, we propagate virus-free material through tissue culture techniques. Subsequently, this material is transferred to a specialized aeroponic cultivation system in the nursery for further growth. The resulting plants’ stems serve as cuttings, which are then rooted and further cultivated into tubers directly in the field. These tubers serve as the clean and planting material, eventually sold to and used by the farmers. Embracing this approach, farmers benefit from a clean harvest, experiencing higher yields and improved crop quality.

Organizing farmers in cooperatives

Collaboration with various organizations and institutes in Ghana and Nigeria enables the organization of farmers into cooperatives that adopt this technique. By introducing a brand name for the planting material, farmers can further distinguish themselves and create an added value in the market, thereby generating more income.