Yam Production Business
Nigeria is the world's largest producer of yam, a high-value tuber with strong cultural and festive demand. Yam requires more labour and land than cassava but commands premium prices. This guide covers land, seed yam, staking, harvest and marketing.
From land cultivation to post-harvest and sales
Follow each stage in order — the full value chain for yam production business.
Land Selection & Preparation
Yam needs deep, well-drained, fertile loamy soils. Forest-derived soils are ideal. Clear land, make large mounds or ridges 30 cm high at 1×1 m spacing. Yam is labour-intensive — mechanised mounders are now available in Nigeria.
- Deep, loose soils for large tuber formation
- Mounds 30 cm high, 1 m apart (~10,000 mounds/ha)
- Incorporate organic manure or compost
Seed Yam (Sett) Selection & Planting
Plant healthy seed yam setts (whole mini-tubers or cut, cured setts) of improved varieties like Puna, Adaka, or Doso. Use the yam minisett technique for affordable, disease-free seed. Plant at the onset of rains, 1 sett per mound, 10–15 cm deep.
- Minisett technique: affordable, high multiplication seed
- Recommended: Puna, Adaka, Doso, Amula
- Cure cut setts 1–2 days before planting to prevent rot
Staking, Weed & Fertiliser Management
Stake yam vines to bamboo or wood to improve leaf exposure and yield. Keep weed-free for the first 4 months. Apply NPK at 6–8 weeks after emergence. Mulching conserves moisture and suppresses weeds.
- Staking can double yields vs. unstaked yam
- Weed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks
- Mulch mounds to retain moisture in dry spells
Harvesting
Harvest 7–10 months after planting when vines yellow and dry. Carefully dig to avoid damaging tubers — cut yam sells at a discount. For seed yam, harvest early; for ware yam, leave until vines fully senesce.
- Harvest carefully — bruised tubers lose value
- Early harvest for seed, late for ware yam
- Cut vines 2 weeks before harvest to ease digging
Post-Harvest Handling & Storage
Cure yam in the shade for a few days to heal wounds, then store in a cool, well-ventilated yam barn. Traditional storage on platforms or in barns works well. Avoid cold storage (it causes chilling injury). Hold yam off-season to sell at premium festive prices.
- Cure in shade before storage to heal cuts
- Store in ventilated yam barns, NOT cold storage
- Hold stock for festive-season price peaks
Marketing & Sales
Yam has strong demand in urban markets and peaks around festivities (New Yam Festival, Christmas). Sell to market women, urban wholesalers, and food processors (poundo yam flour). Brand and grade by size for premium retail.
- Festive-season sales command the highest prices
- Off-takers: market women, wholesalers, poundo-yam processors
- Grade and brand by size for premium retail
Watch & learn
Curated, Nigerian-localised training clips from accredited sources and Nigerian farmers.
Sustainable Yam Farming: Grow More, Spend Less
Yam cultivation as a business in Nigeria.
Watch on YouTubeYam Farming (Playlist)
Planting, seed yam and yam business in Nigeria.
Watch on YouTubeNigeria's Scientists Develop New Yam Varieties
Improved varieties boosting Nigerian yam output.
Watch on YouTubeOne-page cost sheet
Type your figures in the rows below. Totals update live. Print it out and fill the rest with a biro, or download a Word file to keep on your phone.
Youth in Digital Extension · FUTA · TETFund
Yam Production Business
Crop · Nigeria's premium tuber — high value, strong festive-season demand.
Expected revenue
| Product | Qty | Unit price (₦) | Total (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ware yam(tubers / setts) | — | ||
| Seed yam(setts) | — |
Land & preparation
| Item | Qty | Unit cost (₦) | Total (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land lease / rent(ha) | — | ||
| Clearing(per ha) | — | ||
| Mounding / ridging(per ha) | — |
Planting material
| Item | Qty | Unit cost (₦) | Total (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seed yam setts (minisett)(setts) | — | ||
| Sett treatment (ash / wood)(per ha) | — |
Inputs
| Item | Qty | Unit cost (₦) | Total (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stakes (bamboo / wood)(pieces) | — | ||
| NPK fertiliser(bags) | — | ||
| Herbicide(litres) | — | ||
| Mulch material(per ha) | — |
Labour
| Item | Qty | Unit cost (₦) | Total (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planting(person-days) | — | ||
| Staking(person-days) | — | ||
| Weeding (3×)(person-days) | — | ||
| Harvest(person-days) | — |
Storage & sales
| Item | Qty | Unit cost (₦) | Total (₦) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curing & yam barn(per ha) | — | ||
| Grading by size(per ha) | — | ||
| Transport to festive market(per trip) | — |
Figures are editable and stay on this device. For planning only — verify current input prices with local agro-dealers and extension officers.