Improving Yam Production in Nigeria
Improving Yam Production in Nigeria was a GoMakeADifference project carried out by Chizitera Beverly Njoku in 2012. She wanted to benefit the farming community in her hometown Ihitta Ogada in Nigeria. She was able to assist increasing yam production in the village, which helped to boost the economy and improve the standard of living for the farmer’s and their families.
Background
The leader of the project was Chizitera Beverly Njoku, who has always expressed an interest in rural development in her native Nigeria. Her village, Ihitta Ogada, is a farming community that relies on income from their local produce.
Yams are a cultural commodity in Western Africa, where over 95% of the world’s yams are harvested. They tend to be quite expensive to produce, as the head of a one yam tuber is used as a seed for another single yam. Since it takes up to ten months for a yam tuber to grow, it is a long process that is not very cost-effective. So, Chitzitera decided to find a way to improve this process.
How They Made A Difference
Chizitera worked with professors at the local College of Agriculture to develop an inexpensive method of growing yams. This involved using one tuber to grow several yams at once. The result allowed farmers to harvest 30 yam tubers from a single seed. Farmers in Ihitta Ogada were thrilled with the result, as they could save money while harvesting more crops.
The project has had an enduring benefit for the community, including:
- Increasing the yield of yams
- Increasing revenue
- Empowering females
- Improving dietary plans
- Improving the standard of living for locals
How The Project Made A Difference for the Volunteers
By undertaking this project, Chizitera and her team gained invaluable professional and personal development. She was tasked with thinking outside of the box, and was able to come up with a solution that benefited an entire community and its economy.
The project gave her the opportunity to put into practice the UWC ideals that she had been taught over the course of the previous two years, as she was able to make a difference in the world. It also helped her hone professional skills, such as leadership, problem solving and time management.
Quote
The GOMAD funding has been beneficial in making a difference in improving lives across the world, in areas both near and far. The funding has helped in the development of different sectors be it agriculture, education and so forth.