IITA launches Yam Development Forum in Abuja

From Dele Ogunyemi, Ibadan

The International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has launched the Federal Capital Territory branch of Yam Development Forum (YDF).

This development would bring key stakeholders across the yam value chain to a common platform with a view to enhancing the fortunes of yam farmers in the country.

The Project Manager, Dr Norbert Maroya, said the establishment of the YDF was a step forward to the project’s community outreach involving yam farmers and stakeholders in all the six area councils of the FCT.

He said it was paramount for the institute to improve research on yam productivity, despite its challenges, in order to ensure food security in Africa, assuring farmers and other stakeholders of the institute’s support.

In a goodwill message, FCT Director of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Abubakar Sani Pai, called for concerted action from various partners to empower farmers, saying the FCT office of the MDGs would support farmers to improve their yam storage and marketing.