The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA-CGIAR), in partnership with the Cross River State Government, has launched a training program focused on yam seed technologies, agronomic practices, and agribusiness development in Nigeria’s Cross River State.

The week-long Training of Trainers (ToT) program in Calabar brought together yam farmers, Local Government Directors of Agriculture, State Agriculture Officers, and extension agents from 17 local government areas.

According to participants, many yam farmers in Cross River State currently travel more than 300 kilometres to Taraba State to source planting material, creating challenges linked to seed quality, disease risk, and production costs.

The program forms part of a broader capacity development strategy designed to improve knowledge of yam seed systems and production practices. Participants are expected to return to their communities and deliver step-down training sessions for local growers.

Field and Seed Systems Specialist with the IITA Yam Improvement Program, Dr Olugboyega Pelemo, said the training focused on scaling seed technologies through farmer education.

“Technologies like the minisett, vine cutting, SAH, and mini tubers that we have developed at IITA will only become visible when they are scaled, and scaling can become impactful when the capacity of key actors is developed. At the end of the innovative technologies for seed yam production training, the beneficiaries will transfer the knowledge to farmers in their various communities across Cross River State.”

The sessions covered Good Agronomic Practices (GAP), improved seed systems, and production techniques aimed at increasing yields, reducing losses, and improving planting material quality.

Cross River State Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo, said the program aligns with the state’s agricultural development strategy.

“As part of the agricultural agenda, the government is committed to providing the requisite capacity and resources to support the farmers of Cross River, and this training for yam farmers being facilitated by IITA is the first, as we will be replicating the same initiative across other crops like plantain.”

The initiative also aims to support agribusiness opportunities through the development of community-based seed producers.

Farmer Esther Emmanghe from Etung Local Government said she had already begun sharing information from the training with other growers in her community.

“I have already started telling people about the minisett and vine cutting technology, a lot of us farmers and I will put together a group that will start practicing all I have learned during this training,” she said.

Dr Michael Udam from Ogoja Local Government said the program could reduce dependence on sourcing seed yams from distant production areas.

“With this training, I will start planting seed yams myself, and I am certain some of the other farmers will be doing the same,” he said.

Source: IITA