Yam Value Chain Analysis

2. Chain of yams

The yam value chain has different parts (Fig. 2). The chain develops from seed to the consumers, split into national and global consumers. The important parts will be explained, most of these in light of the transport to Holland. Also the focus is mostly on the varieties of White yams.

Yams are mostly cultivated and consumed in West and Central Africa, this accounts for 93% of the world’s production. Ghana is one of these countries. In these countries yam is an important source of food and income. Because of this yam plays a major role in the culture of these countries. (1)

Figure 2: Yam value chain (24)

2.1. Breeding yams
There are many varieties of yam species. Limited to the eatable and economically interesting ones, comes it down to the following species. The white yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir), this is the most widely grown yam. The shape of the tuber is roughly cylindrical, with a smooth brown skin and white firm flesh. There are many cultivars of white yam, which differ in production and post-harvest characteristics. The yellow yam (Dioscorea cayenensis Lam), this yam has its name from the presence of yellow carotenoids. The water yam (Dioscorea alata L.), comes originally from South East Asia. The water yam has its name from the watery texture of the flesh. The last yam of these popular species is the bitter yam

They can leave the yams on the farm and wait for someone to come and buy, or go to the market. On the market, there are middlemen who work at wholesales or at an export company and buy the yams from the farmers. They are intermediaries, farmers are dependent on the middleman. These middlemen in Ghana are most of the time the so called yam mammies. Most villages are reached only by bad roads. The yam mammies are often the link between the villages and the bigger cities. These mammies have a good network with local, regional, national and international markets.