AdewebsHow to grow yam in Ghana- Yam is widely prepared in Ghana as a daily meal. Yams can be fried, boiled, roasted, or mashed depending on your desired preference. Considering the demand for yams, you also can start growing yams today.
The steps to growing yam in Ghana involve getting knowledge, purchasing farmland, land preparation, choosing seed yam, planting seed yam, water, and fertilizer application, weeding, staking, and finally harvesting yam crops.
You will learn more about all of the above–mentioned steps soon when we will discuss each step in-depth for your consumption. Ensure you read through to the end to learn all that you need to know.
How To Grow Yam in Ghana
We have carefully compiled the necessary steps on how to grow yams in Ghana so that you can start growing your yams today for personal consumption or commercial purpose.
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Step 1: Get Knowledge
You have to learn all that you need to know on how to grow yam in Ghana. Ensure you know the climate, the soil, and the preferred method of growing yam in Ghana.
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You can learn from existing yam farmers, online through YouTube, and or through books just like this content that you are reading right now.
How to start yam farming in Ghana
Step 2: Purchasing Farming Land
To start yam planting, you will need a plot of land where the seed yam will be planted and grow to maturity. The land should have the necessary soil quality and weather conditions.
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To ensure that the land is suitable for yam cultivation, test the soil PH to determine whether the soil nutrient is adequate or deficient.
Step 3: Land Preparation
Land preparation is a must for yam farming to prepare the soil for maximum yield. Harrowing and plowing are methods of tilling and leveling the soil. To allow for proper seed yam planting depth and weed prevention, till the ground with a hoe, tractor, or other equipment.
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Land leveling is required and should be completed to aid seedling emergence and reduce erosion. Yam cultivation thrives when planted in loose soil that is rich in nutrients. You can improve soil fertility by using rotten animal dung as an alternative to chemical fertilizers. Make sure to treat the soil to make it nitrogen-rich.
Step 4: Choose Seed Yam
Yam, like most tuber crops, is planted from seed yams, slip yams, or propagated yams. Make sure you get your yam slips from a reputable yam farmer or another reliable source. Have it in mind that the quality of the yam slip you buy will influence the yield during harvest.
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Step 5: Planting of Seed Yams
After you prepare your farmland and all things put in place, it is time to start planting your seed yam. You should make 10 or 12-cm deep holes that are 7-8 cm wide, and then Bury the sprouted yam or seed yams in the ground.
Seed Yams should be planted 8 to 10 inches apart in holes with the roots pointing down and the leafy tops above the soil. Fill the holes gently with soil, being careful not to jostle or bruise the seed yams.
Step 6: Water and Fertilizer Application
Water newly planted yams daily for the first week. In the second week, you can water the plant every other day, and then less frequently as they grow. Plant watering should be done liberally, but monitor the crop to avoid waterlogging. Yams thrive in sunlight, so if the soil becomes dry, adjust the watering schedule accordingly.
Likewise, you should fertilize your plants. Use a fertilizer during the growth period to help improve the condition of the produce. Purchase a phosphorus-rich fertilizer that is low in nitrogen, which can interfere with root development. It is best to fertilize the crop every two to four weeks.
Step 7: Weeding the Yam Farm
Yams are susceptible to a variety of pests and diseases from time to time such as yam mosaic disease, dry rot disease, mealy bugs, and much more. Remove weeds from the farm as well to ensure that the yam plants do not compete. Weeds can be removed manually or chemically.
To control disease and pests, a suitable chemical spray should be sprayed on the farm in the required quantity.
Step 8: Yam Staking
Yam plant vines are frail and must be supported to produce a large yield. Four weeks after the vines emerge, keep an eye on the plants and stake the mounds.
Step 9: Harvesting of Yams
In about 14 to 20 weeks, your yams will be ready for harvest. When you see that the plant’s tops begin to yellow and wither, it is a sign that you have to start harvesting them.
Harvesting is best done by digging around the yam crop and pulling it out of the heap. It should be done carefully so as not to damage the yam flesh.
How Many Months Does It Take For Yam To Mature?
Yams grow to maturity between 3 to 4 months.
How Do You Prepare Land For Yams?
Yams thrive in loose, well-drained soil where they are planted. till it is 8 inches deep and remove debris from the soil and till it is 8 to 12 inches deep (i.e. rocks, root pieces, etc.) to improve the soil’s structure. Spread compost or manure over the soil. Before planting, rake the area, spray it with water, and let it sit for 2 or 3 days.
What Is The Best Time To Plant Yam?
The best time to plant yam is between February and March.
Where Are Yams Grown In Ghana?
The yam-producing regions in Ghana include Northern Salaga, Yendi, Nanumba, Gambaga, Zabzugu/Tatale, Saboba/Chereponi, Tamale, Savelugu/Nanton, Gambaga, Bole, Tolon Kunbungu, Damongo.
What Is The Best Fertilizer For Yam?
Organic Fertilizers are the best fertilizer for yams.
What Is The Lifespan Of Yam?
The lifespan of yam is between 6 to 12 months.
How Long Does It Take Ghana Yam To Grow?
Early yam varieties mature in 7 to 9 months after planting, while late maturing varieties can be harvested in 9 to 12 months.
Where Do Yams Grow Best?
Yams grow best in fertile, loose well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
What Part Of Yam Is Used For Planting?
A sett is a combination of cut tubers and whole tubers
Does Yam Need Water To Grow?
Yam needs water to grow especially during the early growth stage.
What Is The Spacing For Planting Yam?
The spacing for commercial yam farming is 1 m 1 m between rows and stands, and 1 m × 0.25 m for smaller farms.
How Many Days Does It Take Yam To Sprout?
It takes six weeks for yams to sprout.
How Do You Cure Yams Before Planting?
To cure yams before planting, you have to dip the cut yam pieces in ashes and let them dry for a few minutes. Ashes appear to aid in wound healing and infection prevention.
What Climate Do Yams Grow In?
Yam thrives in a temperature of 25C – 30C; rainfall of between 100cm – 180cm per annum, as well as abundant sunshine.
How To Plant Yam At Home
It is possible to plant yam at home using a container or grow bag, or if you have a big yard, you can create space for a yam garden. You can follow the steps discussed in this informative piece.
Write An Essay About How To Plant Yam
Yam is a root crop commonly known as a tuber crop. It is used in many dishes and is also rich in carbohydrates and other nutrients. You can plant yams from yam slips, seedlings, and or from propagated yams. When the plant grows you must harvest them between 20 weeks from maturity day which should be under 20 cm above ground level by digging out the soil below its root system.
How To Grow Yams In A Container
To grow yams in a container, get a planting pot, or any other container, preferably a rubber bucket. Fill the container with potting mix, or high-quality soil. Get your yam seedlings or slip and plant 10 cm deep in the soil.
Then cover the seedling or slip it with potting soil. After planting, water the container which should be placed in a location where it will receive sunlight. Make sure you water plants thoroughly throughout the growth stage.
How To Grow Yam From Cuttings
To grow yam from cutting, you have to
- Take a fresh yam and cut it into pieces, of smaller sizes.
- Dip the cut yam pieces in ashes and let them dry for a few minutes. The reason has been that ashes appear to help in wound healing and infection prevention. It’s a traditional method used in yam-growing regions. Pieces will grow without ashes as well.
- Plant your yams in loose soil because yams are a root crop.
How To Plant Yam In Bags
Get a grow bag, and fill them with high-quality loose soil. Plant the tubers 10 cm deep and cover them with potting soil and water mildly. After planting, water the sack and place it in a sunny location. Water your plants thoroughly throughout the growth period.
How To Grow Yams Indoors
To grow yams indoors, you will need a planting pot, a grow bag, or any other container. Fill the container with potting mix, compost, or high-quality soil. To aid growth, make sure the soil is loose. Plant the tubers 10 cm deep and cover them with potting soil. After planting, water the sack and place it in a sunny location. Water your plants thoroughly.
Varieties Of Yam In Ghana
Yam varieties in Ghana include Puna, Lariboko, Denteh (Punjo), Asana, Araba Serwaa, and Tilla.
Yam Price In Ghana
In Ghana, yams are roughly priced between US$ 0.47 and US$ 0.5 per kilogram.
Conclusion
As you can see from our discussion in this informative piece, it is easy to grow yams in Ghana. We also included clues for growing yams indoors, containers, bags, and pots so that you can have a lot of options. Ensure you follow the steps from beginning to end.
