The First improved certified yam seed, expected to increase yam productivity [yield and net output] by 40 percent for about 200,000 smallholder yam farmers in Nigeria and Ghana has been launched.

The Certified yam seed project funded with about $12.5 million by the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture [IITA] and the Yam Improvement for Income and Food security in West Africa [YIIFSWA] is also expected to deliver key global good research products that will contribute to the ten-year vision of doubling incomes from yams for 3 million small-scale-holder farming families who depend on the crop in West Africa.

It is also expected to contribute to food security and livelihood for at least 60 million people [producers and consumers] in the sub-region.