Toolkit Introduction
Screens OverviewMeet Wazobia Enterprises​References and Partners
1) Strategic Screen
Assessing Improved YamDemand Creation TrialsValue of Improved Seed
2) Business Model Screen
Evaluating Business CasesOperational and Financial Projections​Seed Yam Business PartnersSales and Marketing
3) Process Screen
Hydroponic System OverviewSeed Yam Production in Hydroponics​Seed Quality Management​Harvest and Post-Harvest Activities
Access Tools
Toolkit Introduction
Screens OverviewMeet Wazobia Enterprises​References and Partners
1) Strategic Screen
Assessing Improved YamDemand Creation TrialsValue of Improved Seed
2) Business Model Screen
Evaluating Business CasesOperational and Financial Projections​Seed Yam Business PartnersSales and Marketing
3) Process Screen
Hydroponic System OverviewSeed Yam Production in Hydroponics​Seed Quality Management​Harvest and Post-Harvest Activities
Access Tools

THE TOOLKIT FOR YAM AGRIPRENUERS

Develop the best business case for
your commercial seed yam production

Strategy - Business Model - Process

Toolkit Introduction

Increasing Yam Yields

Yam is a staple food crop and a major source of income for farmers in West Africa. However, despite its crucial role as a source of calories, food security, and income to smallholder farmers and their communities, yam yields are woefully low in Nigeria
(~8 MT/ha) and Ghana (~12 MT/ha).

Poor-quality seed yams result in:​

  • Low biological quality, in terms of germination and vigor
  • Susceptibility to seed-borne diseases
  • Low productivity​
  • Exposure to pests​
  • Degeneration

Quality Seed Market Gap

The limited availability and high cost of quality seed yam are foremost production constraints to yam farmers in West Africa.

Low Multiplication Concerns

Historically, the business case for seed yam has been challenged by the low multiplication rates inherent in vegetatively propagated crops like yam, which increases the cost of production and challenges the business case for quality seed production. Fortunately, multiplication technologies have emerged that when combined with the pipeline of improved yam varieties gives rise to a business opportunity to address yam farmers’ biggest pain point; consistent, affordable access to clean, improved planting material.

Nigeria accounts for 67% of
global yam production.

67
11

Ghana accounts for 11% of
global yam production.

Africa accounts for over 97% of yam production globally, with Nigeria and Ghana as the main yam producers.

67

Nigeria accounts for 67% of global yam production.

11

Ghana accounts for 11% of global yam production.

97%

Africa accounts for over 97% of yam production globally, with Nigeria and Ghana as the main yam producers.

Yam Improvement for Income and
Food Security in West Africa

It is against this backdrop that the second phase of the Yam Improvement for Income and Food Security in West Africa (YIIFSWA II) project was launched. Its aim was to support the transformation of the quality yam seed system in Nigeria and Ghana through a private-sector-led seed system that delivers competitively priced, high-quality seed tubers to farmers. ​

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StaRT Here

Are you ready to get started? We recommend you find a quiet place to work, and bring any materials you might have about your yam business or business idea to reference.

We will prompt you at the bottom of each section with a button to the next section. You can also always use the navigation above to look back or jump forward to specific sections.

Toolkit Introduction