By Peggy Ama Dokor.
Yam Farmers and producers at Prang in the Pru West District of the Bono East region are concerned that it is becoming increasingly difficult to purchase pesticides for their farms. In addition to this, traders want to quote their own prices at the farm gates.
Peggy Ama Donkor reports that Yam is an important staple food crop in Ghana and produced throughout the Country.
Ghana’s yam is produced in large quantities and exported year-round. Yam is a leading agricultural export commodity for Ghana, ranking sixth in the world, representing 10.3% of world exports. The country produces on average, eight million tons of the commodity annually.
Yam is a good source of energy and low in calories as well as being loaded with good nutrition. All varieties are excellent sources of vitamins A and C, potassium, folic acid, and fiber.
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The gestation period for yam is about six to seven months, from its planting to harvesting. Within a short period, an average yam farmer is already reaping results and smiling home with a bountiful harvest. Prang in the Pru West district in the Bono East region is one of the yam production zones in the country, yet farmers say it is becoming difficult to maximize profit.
Twice in a week, that is, Thursdays and Fridays, this is where yam farmers gather to sell their produce to the market queens. 110 tubers of yam depending on the size can sell for as low as Ghc 250. Unfortunately, the farmers are at the mercy of the weather, getting muddy during the rainy seasons. It is their desire that the District Assembly would give them a market that is ready ad befitting.