The prices of yam in Benue State have continued to soar since the Federal Government began exportation of the commodity to the United Kingdom within the past three weeks.

Farmers and traders in yam communities in the state are delighted at the development as most of them now confidently smile to their banks but consumers are worried over the high cost of the produce.

While the farmers and traders believed that the long awaited opportunity to boost their income had arrived, those who mainly consume the produce think survival would become more difficult for families to fend for themselves in the face of current economic hardship.

Daily Trust on Sunday spoke with some traders at the Zaki Biam yam market in Ukum Local Government Area of the state, reputed to be not only the largest in Benue but in the entire country. The community also stands out for producing the best species of yam.

A trader at the market, Derrick Ata, said that the prices of yam had doubled over the past three weeks as demand on the produce keep increasing on daily basis occasioned by the commencement of export.

“Since the moment of exportation, the prices of yam went up by 100 percent. As it is now, the development would affect local consumption because the demand for yam has tremendously increased. For instance, a tuber of yam which sold for N200 last month now goes for N400 while 100 tubers which sold for N20, 000 before now cost at least N40, 000,” he said.

Ata who inherited the business of trading in yams from his late mother is also a shade owner and farmer, expressed optimism that despite imminent rough start which would impact heavy financial burden on consumer, the gains would soon become visible in no time as farmers step up production to meet demand.

He added, “the effect of the sudden exportation would certainly be difficult for the larger population but with time the farmers would meet up demands by boosting their production. It is obvious that the farmers are enjoying now while the consumers (end users) are having a tough time.”

Derrick posited that as a yam farmer and an intermediary trader who acts between the farmer and the wholesale buyers, he knows for sure that the local consumption had been affected but assured that the idea embarked upon by the federal government was sustainable.

On his part, the Chairman of the market’s Shade Owners and Dealers Association, Mr. Tavershima Achinge, averred that the exportation would in no means affect local consumption on account that old yams were still in stuck and that fresh harvest would be turn in next month, precisely in two weeks time.

“Nearly all of us who are traders in this market have yam farms, we produce and sell yams. We still have old stock, particularly, I have at least 3, 000 tubers of old yam stocked in my warehouse untouched. There is no need to fidget, new yams will be out in August while the old stock will still be available. Our culture here is that even if you are a shade owner, you must own a farm so there will be surplus;,” Achinge assured.

He however appealed to the Federal Government in the face of the welcome development to make available adequate chemicals and other inputs that would help farmers preserve their yams properly during the dry season from infestation by ants and rottenness.

Similarly, the Public Relations Officer of the Shade Owners and Dealers Association in the market, Mr. Felix Iorkyaa, opined that there was nothing to worry about as there were still enough yam in stock to,cater for local consumption except that the prices of yam had risen incredibly since the past three weeks.

“We are producers and our yam market is the largest in Africa, we have enough yams such that local consumption can’t be threatened. Our yam transactions in this market are calculated based on 100 tubers of yams except that some people buy and brake up in tens, twenties, fifties and so on following an agreed term so the prices depends on the category. But, the cost of yams in whichever category or sizes has doubled over the past weeks,” Iorykaa explained.

However, a consumer, Mrs. Dorcas Terkula said that in view of the fact that Benue people relish pounded yam delicacy, most families are excited at the harvest of new yams either directly from their farms or they buy at cheaper rates from the market but that may not happen soon for consumers who looked forward to August harvest every year.

Terkula noted, “you know Benue people can’t do without yam. We are usually happy at periods nearing August because farmers would start bringing to market the new yams from their farms. This will usually cushion the adverse hunger that most families suffered earlier on between March and June of the year but that may not likely be the case this year.

Other consumers who spoke to our correspondent said they were earlier excited that yam which most people regarded as, “king of all crops” would soon be available and affordable to the low income earners but the hike in prices of the produce above the normal cost during this period was worrisome.

For, the Secretary of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Benue State, Aondongu Saaku, it was quite encouraging that government attention which was not on yam in the past had been drawn to the reality of times in order to boost national economy.

Saaku lauded the Federal Government’s initiative which he said started with the use of organic fertiliser without chemical residue to qualify the yam for exportation to any part of the world even as he appealed for provision for adequate agro inputs to enable farmers go into massive production.

“Yam will yield more money when it becomes scarce and that will also reduce the wastage we always have in this part of the country with the export in place. It would not affect local consumption. At least more than one million farmers in the state produce yam. In 14 LGAs of Tiv land, it is difficult for any farmer to produce other crops without yam and that is the same case in Idomaland. An average of 75 percent of Benue farmers produce yam. We have good prospect and our state will generate more revenue,” he said.

Commenting, a yam farmer, Akor Kusugh, who lives in Konshisha where he farms yam hopes that the exportation will make him expand production next year for more money just as he is optimistic that local consumption would not be affected.

Similarly, Terkimbi Utaver, a yam farmer in Kwande, who cultivated three hectares of farm land for yam this year said he was very happy about the export and would increase production by next year so as to make more money.

“This export of yam would not affect local consumption because there are other grains such as maize, guinean corn and millet as well as cassava which our people rely on to feed their families since yam is seasonal,” Utaver said.

By and large, most of the respondents agreed with the Federal Government to put Nigeria yam conspicuously as a key player in the global market through export opportunities for their betterment in all ramification as its economic multiplier benefits to both Benue and national economy cannot be quantified.

But, they also want the government to boost productivity and support the already high level of yam production and marketing activities in Zaki Biam town of the state on some popular species such as Ogoja, Paper, Fakinsta and Gbankwasi and so on which if properly harnessed through an aggressive export development programme could generate foreign exchange among others and bring prosperity to all yam farmers.