Despite Dominating Global Yam Output, Nigeria's Domestic Supply Not Enough

News In Brief:

-Nigeria produces 67.2 million metric tonnes of yams annually, representing 67 per cent of global output.

-FG seeks value chain transformation, improved seed systems and stronger collaboration to close supply gaps and boost exports.

The Federal Government says Nigeria accounts for 67 per cent of global yam production, with annual output estimated at 67.2 million metric tonnes.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, recently disclosed this at the National Yam Advocacy Summit held in Abuja. The event was convened by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in partnership with the ministry.

The summit, themed Catalysing a National Agenda for Yam Value Chain Transformation and Improved Seed Technologies, focused on modernising the sector and boosting productivity.

Abdullahi noted that despite Nigeria’s dominance in global production, the country meets only part of its estimated national demand of 120 million metric tonnes, leaving a deficit of more than 50 million metric tonnes.

“This shortfall underscores both the untapped potential of the sector and the urgent need to modernise the yam value chain, increase productivity and leverage Nigeria’s leadership to capture greater domestic and international market opportunities,” he said.

Yam Classified as Tier-1 Crop

The minister described yams as a symbol of prosperity, rural enterprise and national resilience, commending IITA for strengthening the crop’s value chain.

He said agricultural transformation remains a priority under the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that President Bola Tinubu declared a State of Emergency on Food Security in 2023 to drive coordinated and data-driven interventions.

According to him, a high-level technical team developed the programme Ramping Up Staple Crops Production for Renewed Hope Food Security in March 2025, focusing on mechanisation, cluster-based farming, post-harvest loss reduction, and market integration.

He explained that staple crops are categorised into tiers based on national spread, consumption patterns and strategic importance, with yams officially classified as a Tier-1 crop due to their nationwide demand and significance to food security and economic growth.

Collaboration Key to Sector Growth

Abdullahi said the ministry is prioritising farmer training, extension services, access to finance, mechanisation, structured aggregation and value-added processing to position Nigeria as a major exporter of yam products.

“Government alone cannot transform the yam sector. Success requires collaboration among MDAs, research institutions, private investors, state governments, development partners, farmer cooperatives and youth agripreneurs,” he said.

Deputy Director General of IITA, Abdoulaiye Tahirou, said the summit aims to strengthen improved seed systems across the yam value chain to enhance livelihoods, food security and environmental sustainability.

“Yam is our crop, and only we can defend it and ensure it is always available for our people,” he said, calling for the scaling up of improved seed technologies through last-mile seed entrepreneurs.