A recent study indicates that while yam, a major Ogbaru produce, is produced and consumed all over Abia State, Nigeria, the demand for yam far outweighs its supply, hence the existence of a deficit in the availability of yam tubers. To meet the needs, dealers and consumers turn to Ogbaru for yams.  The study of “RURAL SECTOR ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM: Needs Assessment Study for Market-driven Agricultural Technology Transfer and Commercialization in Abia State, Nigeria” was funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Abuja, Nigeria.  The study states, inter alia:

 “Farmers produce yam all over Abia State. The land area allocated to yam enterprise decreased slightly from 34 980 ha in 1999 to 34 280 ha in 2000 but increased to 37 708 ha in 2001. Yield /ha increased between 1999 and 2000 but decreased slightly in 2001 (Table 3). The production-demand situation over the period 1999–2001 is shown in Table 4. The demand for yam far outweighs its supply, hence the existence of a deficit in the availability of yam tubers over the study period. Dealers brought in yam from Ogbaru (Anambra State), Zakibiam (Benue State), and Ogoja (Cross River State) to complement local production. Demand is rising through cultivation of more hectarage and greater use of improved yam varieties and technologies, which are presently available. The demand for yam is expected to increase further with the development of the yam processing technology that is envisaged in this study.” 

Visit   http://www.rusep.org/final/News/reports/Abia%20state%20report_1.pdf   for the full study report