Traditional wisdom associated with yam production in Nigeria If Nigeria is to retain its leading position among yam-producing nations, it is very important that indigenous knowledge regarding the cultivation of yams be put to good use. To this end, research on this subject was conducted in Northern Nigeria in 1982, in Southwest Nigeria in 1984-1985, and in Southeast Nigeria in 1995.

The main objectives of the study were to understand the farmers' perception of yams and to document and draw attention to indigenous technologies of yam production in Nigeria. The research methods used were rural appraisal techniques and structured questionnaires.

Research showed that yam is considered 'a man' s crop'. Men cultivate the species rotundata, alata, and cayenensis. Traditional yam farmers do not regard Dioscorea bulbifera and Dioscorea dumetorum as yams. These two species are instead grouped with coco-yam and considered 'a woman's crop'.

Methods of farming and soil management varied between and within the yam zones. In the Southeast, farmers were developing new strains of cultivated food yams from wild yam species obtained in the forests.

Differences between storage methods in the North, South and Southwest were based on variation in ecology and culture. The most common places to store yams were in the shade, in barns, and underground, respectively. Another storage method involved smoking freshly harvested yam tubers by hanging them on the rafters or ceilings of people's houses, above the place where food is cooked over a wood fire. The yams can then be stored for 3 or 4 months without any problem of rotting. This method was practised at Ogbaru, Omor and Anam in the riverine areas of the Southeast.

Godwin O. Chukwu,
National Root Crops Research Institute,
Umudike, PMB 7006,
Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.

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