PROSSIVA YAM PROJECT HOLDS FIELD DAY TOWARDS BUILDING CAPACITIES OF SEED ENTREPRENEURS
In a strategic effort to strengthen Ghana’s yam value chain and promote the production and sale of quality seed yams, the yam component of the Program for Seed System Innovation for Vegetatively Propagated Crops in Africa (PROSSIVA) has organized a field day focused on seed yam production. The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including farmers, seed entrepreneurs, agricultural extension officers, researchers, development partners, and private sector players.
The field day, held at the CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI) demonstration site in Offinso North District, Ashanti Region of Ghana, provided a practical platform for participants to observe, learn, and exchange knowledge on basic strategic guides for operating successful seed yam businesses. The overarching goal was to identify challenges and proffer specific solutions to enhance the production, availability and sale of certified, disease-free seed yams in the district and beyond.
Tackling the Seed Yam Challenge
Yam is a staple crop that supports millions of households across Ghana and West Africa, serving as both a food security crop and a major source of income. However, the sector continues to face a long-standing challenge — the scarcity of high-quality, disease-free farmer-preferred seed yams. Many farmers still rely on traditional propagation methods using large tubers from the previous harvest, which are often infected with pests and diseases, leading to poor germination, reduced vigor, and lower yields.
Recognizing this bottleneck, the PROSSIVA Yam Project aims to transform yam seed systems by promoting efficient, productive, and profitable approaches to seed multiplication. By 2027, the project seeks to ensure that smallholder farmers have access to affordable, high-quality seed yams through a more organized and economically viable seed delivery system.
Demonstrating Innovations in Seed Yam Production
At the demonstration plots, researchers showcased various improved propagation methods, allowing participants to directly compare traditional and improved systems.
One of the most exciting highlights was the use of small size minitubers (5-10 g) for the production of bigger yam tubers to generate more planting materials within a shorter period. Generating quality minitubers using these high quality minitubers ensures genetic purity, and preservation of biodiversity.
Representatives from the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) gave guidelines on how to maintain a healthy field and the need for Seed Entrepreneurs to register their fields with them.
Participants also explored yam varieties developed by CSIR, known for their disease resistance, higher yields, and adaptability to diverse agro-ecological conditions. These varieties are particularly suitable for seed production, offering a reliable foundation for building a sustainable seed yam supply chain.
Training and Practical Engagement
Extension officers and scientists led hands-on sessions which emphasized the importance of maintaining quality assurance throughout the production process to meet both local and export market standards.
Dr. Victor Acheampong Amankwah, Research Scientist at CSIR-CRI and Principal Investigator of the PROSSIVA Yam Project, highlighted the central role of seed yam production in sustaining yam cultivation. “Seed yam production is critical for the continuous supply of healthy planting materials. We encourage farmers to engage with CSIR-CRI regularly to access improved, disease-free seed yams,” he said.
Mr. Paschal Adikalbe, Senior Analyst at Sahel Consulting, one of the PROSSIVA partners, urged farmers to view seed yam production as a business opportunity.“Producing quality seed yams not only supports food security but also opens new income streams for farmers,” he noted.
Building Sustainable Seed Enterprises
Beyond agronomic practices, the field day also featured discussions on market linkages, pricing mechanisms, quality assurance, and enterprise development.
Mr. Muhammed Adesina, Marketing Officer for the PROSSIVA Project, emphasized that the initiative seeks to go beyond production to foster entrepreneurship and commercialization. “Our goal is to develop a sustainable network of seed yam producers who can operate as independent agribusinesses,” he explained.
Farmers expressed enthusiasm for the training. Mr. Kwasi Offei, a participant from the Ashanti Region, shared his optimism: “I’ve struggled with poor germination and disease in my yam fields for years. Seeing these improved techniques in action gives me confidence to adopt them.”
Looking Ahead
The PROSSIVA field day represents a major step toward transforming Ghana’s yam sector. To fully harness its potential, stakeholders emphasized the need to:
Scale up seed production through trained seed entrepreneurs
Strengthen seed certification and regulatory systems
Improve farmers’ access to inputs such as fertilizers and planting materials
Facilitate market linkages for seed yam producers
Provide continuous training and feedback mechanisms through extension support
The event underscored the power of collaboration between research institutions, development organizations, and farmers. By bridging the gap between scientific innovation and field-level practice, the PROSSIVA Yam Project is setting the stage for a more resilient, productive, and market-oriented yam industry in Ghana. At the end of the training, about five seed entrepreneurs whose names were documented by CSIR-CRI and PPRSD made requests of their preferred seed yams for the next planting season starting in March 2026.
As more farmers adopt these innovations, the country can look forward to increased yam productivity, higher farmer incomes, and enhanced food security for communities across the region.
Authors: Bernard Sakyiamah, Victor Acheampong Amankwah, Enoch Bobie Agyemang, Dennis Gyasi Boakye
