The gradual transition into extinction of one of the Africa’s nutritional delicacy, African Yam Beans, known as “Ewa Otili” among the Yorubas have become a great concern to stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
At a day stakeholders privatization workshop on African Yam Beans held in Ibadan, participants frowned at the way Nigerians abandoned the planting and consumption of Ewa Otili which was attributed to its neglect by policy makers, researchers and farmers.
Some of the participants, who were mostly farmers and agricultural extension workers, advised experts to urgently harness the crop to address the problem of malnutrition in the country.
They said despite the nutritional value and uniqueness of African Yam beans, its challenges at every stage of the value chain have continued to outweigh its benefits as a result of poor awareness, less research and low acceptability by young farmers.
The representative from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Adeyemi Abdulateef and Mr Kehinde Bamigbola from Osun State Agricultural Development Programme said AYB is a multi-purpose food crop which can also be produced into snack and baby foods if properly harnessed.
In an address, a co-investigator on African Yam Beans, Dr Morufat Balogun said, the idea was to improve the adoption of AYB as a food crop as part of efforts aimed at improving food security in Africa.
Dr Balogun said the survey and suggestions gathered on the crop would be communicated to policy makers for possible investment in value chain development.
Earlier, while declaring the workshop open, West Africa Director, IITA, Ibadan, Professor Michael Abberton urged participants to intensify awareness campaign on the crop.
African Yam beans is special food crop that grows the tuber and beans parts at the same time.
Mosope Kehinde
pub-5160901092443552
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