An International Multi-Disciplinary Journal, Ethiopia

Vol. 4 (3b) July, 2010

ISSN 1994-9057 (Print)
ISSN 2070-0083 (Online)

The Problems of Bulk-Selling Yams in Harvest and

Poverty of Farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria
(Pp. 179-191)

Omojola Awosusi - Department of Sociology, University of Ado-Ekiti,

P.M.B. 5363, Ado-Ekiti,Ekiti State, Nigeria.
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone; 08033957175
Jegede Amen - Department of geography and Planning Science, University
of Ado-Ekiti, P.M.B. 5363, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria
E-mail; [email protected]
Telephone; 08034085063

Abstract
This study examined the problem of instant sale of yams in bulk during
harvest and poverty of yam farmers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The main
objective of this study was to examine the purpose of clearance sale of yams
in harvest in Ekiti State. The study is a descriptive survey. The study
population are all yam farmers in 16 (sixteen) Local Government Areas of
Ekiti State. The study sample are the farmers and yam marketers in three
local Government Area one each from Senatorial district. The reveals
instrument are two types of quantities. The sample size of 300 yam farmers
and yam business men and women. Simple percentages and frequency tables
were used in analyzing the data. Results from this study show that poor
storage facilities, poor marketing strategy, problem of income and culture of

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African Research Review Vol. 4(3b) July, 2010. Pp. 179-191

the people account for the bulk-selling of yams in the study area. The study
recommends that there is need for the provision of modern yams storage
facilities, provision of credit facilities to farmers, the organization of
agricultural education and yams operation enlightenment programmes for
farmers annually by the appropriate and relevant agencies in the study area.
Keywords: Bulk-selling, Farmers, Poverty, Problems and Yams.
Introduction
In Nigeria today, agriculture is still the most important sector of the nations
economy in terms of large number of people who earn a living from it, and
because, it is the main source of food and raw materials for manufacturing
industries (Agumagu, 2008). Ekiti State in the Southwestern region of
Nigeria is an agricultural region. Ekiti State is a major producer of staple
food crops, this is due to the vast land, good soil fertility and favourable
climatic condition of the state (Ekiti, 2008).
Majority of the people living in the rural areas of Ekiti State are farmers. For
example, the ebira farmers in Ilokun, Shegere Irasa camp, Ebira Oriokuta
along Iworoko road, Ebira Samaritan Camp, Ilawe, Omuo, Aramoko, Ikole
and Ijesa-Isu etc. These farmers are involved in agricultural activities such
as, planting, harvesting, drying and storage activities of both cash and food
crops. The agricultural products include crops grown for domestic markets
and those grown expressly for export. Those grown for domestic markets
and those grown expressly for export. Those grown for domestic markets are
food crops mostly the staple food, such as yam, cassava and maize etc. The
two most essential staple food crops cultivated, harvested and marketed in
Ekiti state are yams and cassava (Ekiti, 2008).
Savile (1995) observed that yam (dioscorea spp) is a root crop found in the
tropical rain forest zone, which need at least 1150 mm of rainfall for proper
growth. Yam tuber must be harvested when matured and provided with
special storage facilities to avoid large scale deterioration, loss of weight,
rotting and sprouting caused by damage or attack from pests and diseases.
Yams are among the most important root crops in West Africa. They are also
grown in other parts of the tropics but there is some evidence that some yam
species originated from West Africa. He further stated that yams are gown
mainly for food, and one particular type, the white yam (Dioscorea roundata)
is highly popular among Nigerians. It can be boiled and eaten with stew; yam
chips can be prepared and in some parts of West Africa, especially amongst
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The Problems of Bulk-Selling Yams in Harvest and Poverty of Farmers

the Yorubas, it is boiled, pounded and eaten with stew. The white yam can
also be cut into pieces, dried and processed into yam flour. Although rich in
carbohydrates, it has not been widely used as an animal food, probably due to
the facts that supply have generally been somewhat limited. Local domestic
animals however, feed on the skin and pieces thrown away in kitchen refuse.
Allexandrators (1995) noted that favourable conditions for yam cultivation
occur in areas where the soil is loamy and well drained. He further observed
that rainfall must exceed 100 cm per annum, most of which should fall within
the five months grown season. Nigeria today produces more yams than any
other West African countries, mainly in the Southern Kaduna, Kwara, Ekiti,
Oyo, Edo, Anambra and northern Cross River States due to high intensity of
rainfall received in the country (www.onlinenigeria.org 2009).
Many types of yam are found in Nigeria, but only six of them are of
importance. The white yam (Dioscorea rotundeta) matures early and
produces tubers of various sizes and shapes. It is the most popular of yams
grown in Nigeria and is considered to be of the highest quality.
Yellow yam (Dioscorea cayenensis) matures in about 12 months from
planting. It has a yellow fleshy but is not widely popular and is prepared in a
similar manner to white yam. Water yam (Dioscorea alata) is not very
popular for human consumption, but it is used to supplement the supply of
white yam. These three types of yam are very important food crops in many
parts of Nigeria in general and Ekiti State in particular.
The three other types of yam, which are of lesser importance in terms of
human consumption are: the three leaved or bitter yam (Dioscorea
dumetorum). As the name implies, it has an unusual type of leaf formation.
The tubers are large and bitter in taste. It is not popular, but may be eaten
after long boiling. The Chinese yam (Dioscorea esculenta) produces a large
number of very small tubers. It is not popular and is found growing mainly
in school gardens. Finally, there is the aerial yam (Dioscorea bulbifera), this
produces swellings from the stems which are like small yams and are
essentially above ground storage organs. This type of yam is of poor quality
and is not generally cultivated (Safwat, 2000).
Land preparation for yam cultivation is a more complicated operation, than it
is for most other food crops. The ground must be thoroughly cleared, and
mounds or hills are made at a distance of 1 metre apart. Native hoes are
mostly used for this operation in Ekiti State. Ridges are seldom used for yam
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African Research Review Vol. 4(3b) July, 2010. Pp. 179-191

planting but in the future, this may become a general practice, if mechanized
methods of harvesting are developed.
MDGs Report (2008), noted that most farmers in the developing countries,
engage in bulk selling of their farm produce, e.g. yams, immediately after
harvest due to the problems of storage facilities and eelworm (Angilluina
bradys) which is a common disease of yams. Eelworm attack tubers in the
ground and during storage. The eelworms eat their way into the tubers and
thus provide an entry for the fungus, which causes the rot. Affected areas
become brown and soft, damage tubers have little market value control
measures include the planting of clean, uninfected sits and crops rotation also
help to keep eelworm in check.
Proverty in the Agricultural Sector
When an economy undergo/recession, one area which it affects most is
agriculture which in turn will further compound the initiative of Agriculture
is the main source of income for the worlds poor. The poorest set of farmers
are found in rural areas, and their livelihood are linked to farming.
Rilwani and Osayande (2008) noted that within the agricultural sector, there
are two groups of poor; the self employed and wage labourers. The poor are
concentrated in traditional industries, with low income and high capital
requirements and low labour productivity. Their products are usually
intended for home consumption or for local market. Non farm employment
is particularly important in providing work in slack seasons for landless
labourers and women from poor households. Thus, poverty may well be
perceived in relationship to contemporary living standard of an entire society.
Farmers and individuals alike are in poverty when they lack the resources to
obtain the type of diet, participate in the activities and have the living
conditions and amenities, which are customary in the society to which they
belong.
Aim and Objectives of the Study
The general aim of this study is to examine the satisfaction, which the
farmers derive from the bulk-sales of their proceeds and the end-points of
their yams outside Ekiti State.
The Specific Objectives of this Study were to:
(i) Find out why Ekiti Farmers bulk-sell their yams immediately after
harvest

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The Problems of Bulk-Selling Yams in Harvest and Poverty of Farmers

(ii) Determine the market spots for yams within Ekiti and the factors
favouring the market location
(iii) Find out the nature of the farmers in Ekiti, whether they are
aboriginal farmers or itinerant farmers.
The Study Area
Ekiti State is located between latitude 7o 30 and 8o 15 north of the equator
and longitude 4o 47 and 5o 40 of the Greenwich meridian.
Ekiti State was created on the 1st of October, 1996 and named Ado-Ekiti as
her administrative headquarter.
The estimated population figure of Ekiti State released by the National
Population Commission (NPC) stood at 2,353,082 (NPC, July, 2006).
The relief of Ekiti State consists of undulating plains. The highest contour
line of 540 m above sea level is found around the north eastern limit of the
state. The rocks are dominated by the crystalline rocks, which form parts of
the basement complex geology of the South Western Nigeria.
Ekiti State has a total annual rainfall of about 1,400 mm with a low coefficient variation of about 30% during the rainfall peak months, and with an
average of about 112 rainy days per annum, Adebayo (1993).
The development of Ekiti State spread towards the routes of communication.
Put differently, the settlement evolutionary structure and growth is a replica
of Homer Hoyts Sector theory of 1939, which posits the sprawl of physical
development in the direction of transportation routes (www.ekiti.net, 2009).
Conceptual Framework/Literature Review
The concept of Sustainable Development is applicable to this study. The
concept was propounded by the World Commission on Environment and
Development (WCED) in 1987. This concept noted that Sustainable
Development is a development that meets the needs of the present generation
without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own
needs.
Development involves the purposeful change of the inherently complex
environmental factors, human needs and other natural resources are
independent. Thus, a system analysis or assessment of the total environment
and agricultural production of yam proceeds should be part of the overall
planning process.

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African Research Review Vol. 4(3b) July, 2010. Pp. 179-191

In making adequate and sustainable productive decisions, effort to maintain

or improve on the sustainable production of yams in Ekiti State,
environmental quality and modern agricultural production of yams should be
given sufficient weight.
MDGs Report (2008) stated that in the developing countries like Nigeria,
Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana etc, fifty (50) to Eight (80) percent of
households are dependent on agricultural employment, private and
commercial suppliers of seed, agricultural chemical, tools and spare parts are
often absent.
MDGs Report (2008) further noted that agricultural
programmes and production activities are affected by low income and
poverty level in-which the farmers are most affected.
Agumagu (2002) opined that in agricultural productive activities, the burden
on rural farmers are much and yet they have limited access to advice, from
Agricultural Extension Programmes and other forms of support, such as
institutional credit and improved technology for production, processing and
transportation services.
Davies and Bruton (2009), stated that poverty alleviation in the agricultural
sector can be tackled in so many ways, most of which exhibit an intricate
web of inter-relationship. This can be via policy areas as macro-economic
planning, job creation (direct employment ventures) provision of credit
facilities, transport, physical and social interaction, welfare scheme, subsidies
and agricultural extension services etc.
Rilwani and Osayande (2003) posited that poverty is the lack of certain
capabilities, valid, necessities of life and the inability to participate with
dignitaries in the society. This implies that poverty is a state of deprivation
(good education, proper health care and good housing units etc) and is
therefore multi-dimensional and not limited to income level.
Onayemi (1983) reported that over 50% of yam tubers produced and
harvested are lost in storage. Adding that, yam diseases and pest constitutes
great problem to yam production.
Amusa et al. (2003) identified two types of yam diseases namely; field
diseases and storage diseases. The field diseases, according to the
researchers, includes, yam anthracnose disease, yam mosaic virus disease and
water yam virus disease. The storage diseases include dry rot, soft rot and
wet rot.

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The Problems of Bulk-Selling Yams in Harvest and Poverty of Farmers

Methodology
The yam famers in Ekiti State were the subjects of the study and as such all
farmers who engaged in the cultivation of yam constituted the study
population.
Ekiti State is divided into three senatorial districts namely South District
(which has 6 local Government Areas) Central District (which has 5 Local
Government Areas).
For the purpose of this study, one Local Government Area was selected from
each senatorial districts and from each local Government area two
communities were selected purposively. The communities were selected
based on the observation that they were high producers of yams. The
communities included Ilasa Ekiti and Ayebode Ekiti (in Ekiti South) Irasa
and Ori-okuta (in Ekiti Central) and Odo-oro Ekiti and Oke Ako (in Ekiti
North).
Two sets of structured Interviewers questionnaires were developed. One of
the set was a 30-item questionnaire designed to capture information from the
rural farmers and the other set was a 20-item questionnaire designed to elicit
information from yam workers namely yam traders, tam transporters and yam
loaders within the study area. A total number of 300 hundred questionnaires
were administered altogether.
The questionnaires were translated into Yoruba and Ebira languages to
ensure maximum comprehension in the respondents. A total of 284
questionnaires were successfully retrieved from the field and analysed.
The respondents were selected using random sampling technique.
The rural farmers were domiciled in the locality, though many of them were
itinerant farmers who left their place of birth to do commercial farming in
the area due to availability of fertile land. The traders, transporters and
loaders on the other hand were largely strangers from Lagos, Abuja and other
urban areas coming to bulk purchase yams. A category of local traders
emerged from among the indigenes who operate as middle persons between
the farmers and the external traders.
Descriptive method of data analyses using frequency table and percentages
was adopted to analyse the data.
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Findings and Discussions

The results on why Ekiti farmers Bulk-sell their yams immediately after
harvest revealed that out of the 145 respondents of yam buyers, transporters
and loaders interviewed, 51 representing 35.2% of the respondents stated
poor yam storage facilities of farmers in the area, while 21 representing
14.5% of the respondents observed poor marketing strategy of farmers in the
area, 33 representing 22.8% of the respondents noted the problem of income
of farmers in the area, and 36 representing 24.8% of the respondents stated
the culture of the people, while 4 representing 2.8% of the respondents void
their response (See table 1). This implies that the problem of yam storage
facilities in the area were high and the available facilities were inadequate.
The result on the poverty of farmers in Ekiti State revealed that out of the 145
respondents of yam buyers, transporters and loaders in the study area, 41
representing 28.3% of the respondents stated that poverty of yam farmers in
the study area mainly results from the problem of capital, 23 representing
15.9% of the respondents noted that extravagant way of life of farmers in the
area accounts for the poverty of farmers in the area, while 14 representing
9.7% of the respondents observed too many dependants on farmers in the
area, meanwhile 53 representing 35.6% of the respondents stated poor
farming practices of farmers in the area, and 14 representing 9.7% of the
respondents voids that response. This implies that the poverty of farmers in
the study area majorly emanated from poor farming practices.
The result on the month in the year, the buying, transporting and loading of
yams in the study area is highest revealed that out of the 145 respondents of
yam buyers, transporters and loaders in the study area, 26 representing 17.9%
of the respondents stated June, 52 representing 35.9% of the respondents
noted July, meanwhile 51 representing 35.2% of the respondents observed
August, while 13 representing 9.0% of the respondents stated September, and
3 representing 2.1% of the respondents stated October.
The implication of this is that yam harvest and bulk-selling of yams is highest
in the month of July every year in the study area.
The result on the type of labour employed by farmers in the study area on
yams production (table 4) revealed that out of the 139 respondents of
Farmers in the study area, 97 representing 69.8% of the respondents stated
the use of manual Labour, 40 representing 28.8% respondents stated
mechanization, while 2 representing 1.4% of the respondents void their
response. The implication of this is that majority of farmers in the study area
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The Problems of Bulk-Selling Yams in Harvest and Poverty of Farmers

makes use of manual labour, with obsolete farming implements in yams

production as such investing a lot of energy and time with incomparable
output of yams production in the study area.
The findings on the achievement of farmers in the bulk-selling of yams in the
study area, revealed that out of the 139 respondents of farmers, 48
representing 34.5% of the respondents stated the purchase of motorcycle, 26
representing 18.7% of the respondents stated the purchase of vehicle, 17
representing 12.2% of the respondents stated the building of House,
meanwhile 36 representing 25.9% of the respondents noted the training of
their children and relatives, while 11 representing 8.0% of the respondents
stated the purchase of household furnitures and other items and 1
representing 0.7% of the respondents noted improved business. This implies
that the major achievement of Farmers in the area is the purchase of
motorcycles and vehicles respectively. As such majority of the farmers in the
study area were poor and engages in the driving of motorcycles (Okada) and
Vehicles (Akoto) aside farming.
The survey on the major determinants of yams market spots in the study area
revealed that out of the 139 respondents of farmers, 64 representing 46.0% of
the respondents stated near farmers residents, 39 representing 28.1% of the
respondents noted near Farmland, and 28 representing 20.1% of the
respondent observed near transport routes, while 8 representing 5.8% of the
respondents void their responses (See table 5). The implication of this is that,
the major determinants of yams market spots and bulk-selling of yams in the
study area takes place near farmers residents.
Table 6 which shows the findings on the nature of farmers in Ekiti State,
whether they are aboriginal farmers or itinerant farmers also revealed that out
of the 139 respondents of farmers in the study area, 80 representing 57.6% of
the respondents stated aboriginal farmers, while 59 representing 42.4% of the
respondents noted itinerant farmers. This implies that the level of
involvement of strangers in the production of yams in Ekiti State is high, and
as such contributes immensely to bulk-selling of yams in harvest in Ekiti
State.
Table 7 which shows the result on the nature of yam buyers, transporters and
loaders in the study area, revealed that out of the 145 respondents of yam
buyers, transporters and loaders, 75 representing 51.7% of the respondents
stated aborigines and 70 representing 48.3% of the respondents stated and
loaders. This implies that the rate at which strangers participate and
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African Research Review Vol. 4(3b) July, 2010. Pp. 179-191

contributes in the bulk-selling buying, transporting and loading of yams in

harvest in Ekiti State is considerably high.
Recommendations
In view of the findings in this study, developmental activities and projects in
the rural areas should aimed at uplifting the standing of living or rural
dwellers and break the vicious and routine cycle of poverty of farmers in the
study area.
There is need for a considerable increase in the budgetary allocation from the
state and Local Government Authorities to assist farmers in the state, most
especially in the area of yams production.
All the deplorable roads in the rural area should be rehabilitated and new
ones constructed to enhance the free flow of yam produce between the rural
and the urban centres.
There is need for the provision of more and modern yam storage facilities in
the study area.
There is need for the provision of sufficient agricultural infrastructure
including irrigation systems to ensure all year sustainable yams production in
the study area.
Agricultural education and yams operation enlightenment programmes
should be organized annually by the appropriate and relevant agencies.
There is need for farm inputs, such as improved yam seedlings and varieties,
fertilizers, agro-chemicals and modern agricultural implements to be
provided to Farmers to improve yam production in the study area.
There is need for farmers in the study area to be provided credit facilities.
Conclusion
The bulk-selling of yams in harvest is predominant among farmers in Ekiti
State. Yet, the standard of living of farmers in the study area is considerably
very low. This points to the facts that the need for a considerable adjustment,
reform, and improvement in the production of yams and living standard of
farmers in particular and rural dwellers in general cannot be overemphasised. Government at all levels, planners, policy makers, researchers
and farmers should therefore give adequate attention to how best yams
production can be considerably improved upon, new innovations on yams

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The Problems of Bulk-Selling Yams in Harvest and Poverty of Farmers

production, improvement and sustenance adopted, as well as to improve the

standard of living of farmers in the study area.
Table 1:The Survey of What Respondents Perceived as the Major Reason
Why Farmers Bulk-sell Their Yams Immediately After Harvest
Valid O
Poor
Storage
Facilities
Poor
Marketing
Strategy
Problem of Income
Total

Frequency
4
51

Percentage
2.8
35.2

21

14.5

33
145

22.8
100.0

Source: Authors Field Work Report, 2009.

Table 2: What is Perceived as the Cause of Poverty of Farmers in the Study
Area
Void O
Problem of Capital
Extravagant way of life
Too many dependants
Total

Frequency
14
41
23
14
145

Percentage
9.7
28.3
15.9
9.7
100.0

Source: Authors Field Work Report, 2009.

Table 3: A survey on the month of the year, the Buying, Transporting and
Loading of yams in the Study Area is Highest
Valid June
July
August
September
October
Total

Frequency
26
52
51
13
03
145

Percentage
17.9
35.9
35.2
9.0
2.1
100.0

Source: Authors Field Work Report, 2009

Table 4: The Type of Labour use in Yam Farming Operations in the Study Area
Valid O
Manual Labour
Mechanization
Total

Frequency
2
97
40
139

Percentage
1.4
69.8
28.8
100.0

Source: Authors Fieldwork Report, 2009

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Table 5: A survey on the Determinants of Yams Market Spots in the

Study Area.
Valid O
Near farmers residents
Near transport routes
Near Farmland
Total

Frequency
8
64
28
39
139

Percentage
5.8
46.0
20.1
28.1
100.0

Source: Authors Field Work Report, 2009

Table 6: The Nature of Farmers in Ekiti State, Aboriginal Farmers or
Itinerant Farmers.
Aboriginal
Itinerant
Total

Frequency
80
59
139

Percentage
57.6
42.4
100.0

Source: Authors Field Work Report, 2009

Table 7:The Nature of Yam Buyers, Transporters and Loaders in the
Study Area; either Aborigines or Itinerants.
Aborigines
Itinerants
Total

Frequency
75
70
145

Percentage
51.7
48.3%
100.0

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