PROFITABILITY OF MINITUBER SEED YAM PRODUCTION TECHNIQUE IN SOUTH EAST AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONE: EVIDENCE FROM ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at Umudike to evaluate the profitability of minituber production technique using selected improved white yam varieties developed in 2003 as a back up to the minisett technique. The three white yam varieties selected were TDr89/02677, TDr89/02665 and TDr89/02565 known for their high potential yield. Setts of 8-10 grams were planted directly in the field for two years with spacing of 10cm x 100cm between ridges 10cm x 20cm between rows on a ridge (double row) and 10cm x 10cm intra row. The data were collected using cost route approach were analysed using descriptive statistical and Net return analysis. The result on establishment count on average of 4 weeks after planting (WAP) + 8 weeks after planting (WAP) showed that TDr89/02677, TDr89/02665 and TDr89/02565) gave 52.2, 46.1 and 43.5% sprout count while percentage stand count were 63.0, 53.9 and 52.2% respectively. The result of the profitability of the study showed that the three improved yam varieties (TDr89/02677, TDr89/02665 and TDr89/02565) were profitable as incomes generated were N141, 100.00, N49, 900.00 and N46, 300.00 respectively and on average gave an income of N79, 100.00.