Yam

What is Yam?

Yam is the name given to several plant species in the genus Dioscorea that produce starchy edible tubers. They are cultivated in many temperate and tropical regions, such as West Africa, South America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Oceania.

The tubers, also known as "yams," come in various forms due to different cultivars and related species. Yams are a type of monocot, similar to lilies and grasses, and they are vigorous herbaceous vines that grow from a tuber. While some yam species are widely grown for their edible tubers, others are toxic, and there are around 870 known species of yams.

There are several varieties of yam, including white yam, yellow yam, and water yam, each with its unique flavor and texture. Yam can be boiled, fried, roasted, or mashed, and is often used in soups, stews, and other dishes.

In terms of nutritional value, yam is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins C and B6, and potassium. It is also relatively low in calories and fat, making it a healthy addition to any diet.

It's essential to distinguish between a yam and sweet potatoes as they are distinct types of root vegetables. Despite being nutritious, they differ in terms of flavor profiles and nutritional compositions.

Yam Production in the World

The global production of Yam plays a significant role in agriculture and trade. As of 2023, Nigeria is the top producer, contributing 61,921,741 tonnes, which accounts for 69.31% of the total global production. Ghana ranks second, producing 10,510,580 tonnes, representing 11.76% of the world's output. Other significant producers include Cote d'Ivoire, Benin, and Togo, with production levels of 7,967,114, 3,321,089, and 974,297 tonnes, respectively. Trinidad and Tobago has the lowest production among the listed countries, contributing just 13 tonnes in 2023. In total, global production of Yam reached approximately 89,345,124 tonnes in 2023.

Top 10 Countries by Yam Production in 2023

Countries Ranked by Yam Production in 2023

Source:FAOSTAT
Last Updated: 23 Jan 2025

Rank	Country	Production (Tonnes)	Acreage (Hectare)	Yield
1	Nigeria	61,921,741	7,548,275	8,203
2	Ghana	10,510,580	565,597	18,583
3	Cote d'Ivoire	7,967,114	1,499,028	5,315
4	Benin	3,321,089	307,861	10,788
5	Togo	974,297	108,638	8,968
6	Cameroon	541,944	72,347	7,491
7	Central African Republic	509,650	57,458	8,870
8	Chad	469,480	48,953	9,591
9	Colombia	412,820	35,725	11,556
10	Guinea	410,100	48,087	8,528
11	Papua New Guinea	384,480	22,038	17,447
12	Brazil	253,885	25,828	9,830
13	Gabon	229,541	36,339	6,317
14	Jamaica	194,959	10,984	17,749
15	Sudan	171,907	82,889	2,074
16	Japan	161,463	6,755	23,901
17	Senegal	125,811	7,576	16,607
18	Democratic Republic of the Congo	124,540	27,170	4,584
19	Burkina Faso	63,644	4,798	13,265
20	Mali	56,707	3,665	15,473
21	Rwanda	55,375	6,425	8,619
22	South Sudan	53,419	21,572	2,476
23	Ethiopia	49,921	5,679	8,791
24	Dominican Republic	45,806	5,475	8,366
25	Solomon Islands	44,794	4,381	10,224
26	Vanuatu	42,060	2,100	20,029
27	Venezuela	37,409	3,719	10,060
28	Comoros	30,831	5,528	5,577
29	Liberia	20,490	2,355	8,702
30	Haiti	20,438	5,766	3,545
31	Cuba	18,198	5,426	3,354
32	Costa Rica	17,997	1,369	13,151
33	Panama	16,747	4,989	3,357
34	Republic of the Congo	16,078	3,422	4,699
35	Dominica	14,002	936	14,954
36	Philippines	12,869	2,491	5,166
37	Tanzania	9,334	1,461	6,387
38	Fiji	5,705	285	20,000
39	Kenya	5,544	677	8,185
40	Tonga	4,718	357	13,221
41	Mauritania	3,002	479	6,270
42	Malaysia	2,895	539	5,374
43	Sao Tome and Principe	2,222	395	5,631
44	Puerto Rico	1,952	317	6,163
45	New Caledonia	1,951	2,275	858
46	Guyana	1,824	23	79,983
47	Nicaragua	1,000	75	13,384
48	St. Vincent and the Grenadines	731	59	12,390
49	Barbados	469	38	12,342
50	Burundi	367	29	12,755
51	St. Lucia	343	22	15,591
52	Samoa	259	84	3,080
53	Niue	163	145	1,125
54	Antigua and Barbuda	144	43	3,316
55	Grenada	116	10	11,620
56	Bhutan	56	17	3,338
57	Belize	50	13	3,846
58	French Polynesia	43	7	6,296
59	St. Kitts and Nevis	37	5	7,293
60	Trinidad and Tobago	13	4	3,250

cultivation of Yam Plants

Yam is a root vegetable that is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions.

Here are the steps for cultivating yam:

Soil Preparation: Choose a well-draining, loamy soil that is rich in organic matter. Prepare the soil by tilling it to a depth of at least 30 cm, removing any weeds or rocks, and adding compost or manure.
Selection of seed yams: Select good quality, disease-free yam tubers as seed material. The tubers should be large, healthy, and free from cuts or bruises.
Planting: Plant the yam tubers in mounds or ridges that are about 20-30 cm high and 1-1.5 meters apart. Make holes in the mounds and plant the tubers with the buds facing upwards, burying them about 5-10 cm deep in the soil.
Fertilization: Fertilize the yam plants with a balanced fertilizer that contains equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Apply the fertilizer at the rate of 50-100 kg per hectare.
Watering: Yam requires a moderate amount of water. Water the plants regularly, especially during dry periods.
Weed Control: Control weeds by hand or using herbicides. Weeds can be a major problem in yam cultivation, as they compete with the crop for nutrients and water.
Harvesting: Yam can be harvested after 8-10 months, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Harvest the tubers by digging them out of the soil with a fork or digging tool.
Storage: After harvesting, allow the yam to dry for a few hours, then store them in a cool, dry place. Yams can be stored for several months if they are kept in a dry and cool environment.

Overall, Yam cultivation requires careful attention to soil preparation, selection of high-quality seed yams, proper planting, fertilization, watering, weed control, and harvesting to ensure a successful harvest.

Nutritional Information of Yam

Yam is a nutritious root vegetable that provides several essential nutrients. Here is a general overview of the nutrition content of yam per 100 grams:

Calories: 118
Carbohydrates: 27.9 grams
Protein: 1.5 grams
Fat: 0.2 grams
Fiber: 4.1 grams
Vitamin C: 17.1 milligrams
Vitamin B6: 0.3 milligrams
Potassium: 816 milligrams
Magnesium: 21 milligrams
Manganese: 0.4 milligrams

Please note that these values may vary slightly depending on the variety of yams and their growing conditions. Additionally, these values are approximate and can differ slightly based on the source of the information.

Structure of Yam

Yams are starchy root vegetables that belong to the family Dioscoreaceae. They are native to Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean and are a staple food in many parts of the world.

The structure of yams can be described as follows:

Outer skin: The outer skin of yams is thick, rough, and brownish-gray in color. It protects the flesh inside from damage and helps to keep the yam fresh.
Flesh: The flesh of the yam is white, yellow, or purple, depending on the variety. It is starchy and has a slightly sweet taste. The flesh is part of the yam that is eaten and can be cooked in a variety of ways, such as boiled, fried, roasted, or mashed.
Core: The core of the yam is a tough, fibrous center that runs down the middle of the vegetable. It is usually removed before cooking.
Eyes: Yams have small, round, dark spots on their skin called eyes. These are where the roots of the yam were attached to the plant and are completely safe to eat.

Structure of Yam Plant

Yam plants have a remarkable structure that enables them to flourish in various environments and yield nutrient-rich tubers that serve as a crucial dietary staple in numerous cultures. The plant's tuberous root system has stems that can reach lengths of up to 15 meters (49 feet), with the edible part of the plant growing up to 1.5 meters (4 feet 11 inches) deep in the soil. The tuber's skin is tough to peel, but cooking can soften it. The skin color can range from dark brown to light pink, while the flesh, which is soft and can be white, yellow, purple, or pink, varies in color depending on the yam's maturity level.

The yam plant reproduces through seeds, and its stem, which can grow up to several meters long, has tendrils that aid the plant in climbing and clinging to other objects for support. The leaves are heart-shaped and alternate along the stem. The yam plant is monoecious, which means it has both male and female flowers on the same plant. The male flowers are in panicles, while the female flowers are in spikes, and they are small and greenish-yellow in color.

The yam plant's tuber can differ in shape, size, and color based on the species. Some yam species have cylindrical or oblong-shaped tubers, while others have round or bulbous-shaped tubers. The skin of the tuber can be brown, black, or white, and the flesh can be white, yellow, or purple. Overall, the yam plant has a unique structure that allows it to grow and thrive in diverse environments and produce nutrient-rich tubers that are a crucial dietary staple in many cultures.

Uses of Yam

Yams are versatile root vegetables that can be used in a variety of dishes.

Here are some common uses of yam:

Cooking: Yams can be boiled, baked, roasted, or fried and used in a wide variety of dishes. They can be used as a side dish or as an ingredient in soups, stews, casseroles, and curries.
Snacking: Yams can be sliced thinly and fried or baked to make crispy yam chips or yam fries, which make a healthy and delicious snack.
Desserts: Yam can be used as an ingredient in sweet dishes like pies, cakes, and puddings.
Beverages: Yam can be used to make drinks like smoothies and juices.
Baking: Yams can be mashed and used as a substitute for pumpkin in pumpkin pies or used to make cakes, muffins, and bread.
Baby food: Yams are a nutritious food for babies and can be mashed or pureed for baby food.
Gluten-free flour: Yams can be dried and ground into gluten-free flour that can be used as a substitute for wheat flour in baking.
Animal feed: Yams can be used as a nutritious feed for livestock such as pigs and cattle.
Traditional medicine: Yams are used in traditional medicine for a variety of purposes, including treating coughs, asthma, and diabetes.
Cosmetic products: Yams contain a variety of nutrients and antioxidants that are beneficial for the skin, and they are used in some cosmetic products, including skin creams and lotions.

Yam