Main Article Content
On-farm evaluation of the performance of new yam minisett sizes for increased adoption
Abstract
The mean adoption level and adoption index of the use of 25g minisett size for seed yam production are low (1.81 and 0.36, respectively) because it produces small seed yams which would not ultimately yield very fat yams. And so it could not meet most farmers' objectives in yam production. In order to expand the seed yam production objectives, more proven sett sizes were evaluated using farmer-managed on-farm research approach. Seed yams ranging from 200 to 400g were distributed to farmers who were assisted in cutting them into three sett sizes (25, 35 and 45g). Thirty farmers selected from two villages participated. The percentage establishment, total number of seed yams and total seed yam yield increased with increase in sett size. The smaller the sett size the greater the number of seed yams <500g and the greater the sett size the greater the number of seed yams > 500g. Based on the result of the fresh tuber yield, the number of seed yams > 500g and the stability analysis minisett sizes of 35g-45g are recommended for seed yam production.
Keywords: On-farm, evaluation, new, minisett, size, performance