YAM BARN STORAGE

Yam Barns are traditional systems build for preserving yams in Africa, especially in the humid parts of west Africa.

Farmers basically prefer this method of preservation, because it is regarded as the safest way for their yam produce to be guarded from insect attack, and rotts caused by unhealthy temperature of the ground. For the farmer, improved storage means an increase in subsistence security. At the same time he gains larger scope for decisions on selling and is better able to take advantage of price movements to improve his income. Over the years, farmers (commercial/subsistence) in the West African region have adopted this system for their yam safety, and have found this method worthwhile on their yam preservation. The YAM BARN method of preservation is however considered - basically by subsistence farmers as a somewhat difficult, and stressful method to apply in keeping the produce safe, but they have also discovered that there is no other better or less stressful means to save-keep their yam produce until the next planting season or sales than the barn system.

The Eastern Nigeria is known to cultivate Yam Like the Northern Nigeria. It is a profitable Agricultural business during the rainy season. 

This year as the planting season commences, large, middle and small scale farmings are expected.

The cheapest, and less-expensive West African yam barns are constructed with just three(3) basic items,

which are:

1. Life sticks - ones that can easily germinate to provide shade to the tied yams in case of excessive sunlight.

2. Bamboos - where yams are horizontally placed before binding them serially and upwardly during the act of preservation.

3. Ropes - for binding both life sticks and bamboos firmly together.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE "BARN" PRESERVING SYSTEM

The three main signifiance of yam-barns are:

1. To prevent yams from being attacked by the ground insect pest and bugs, that are likely to attack the produce when laid on the ground, or kept carelessly.

2. To avoid yam rotts through an unhealthy temperature when arranged to the ground.

3. To prevent yams from easily germinating, especially when on the ground before the next planting period or before they are put to the market for sales.