Aerial yams (dioscorea bulbifera) also known as hanging yams is slowly gaining traction amongst farmers in central Kenya owing to its numerous health benefits, versatility and its pests and disease resistance.

The yams can be intercropped with other crops like beans, spinach herbs and kales allowing for better land use and increases overall yields translating into higher income for the farmers.

The herbaceous, perennial plant with long climbing vines that can grow up to 65 feet is not labour intensive and once planted they keep rejuvenating themselves for years and years. The low cost of production poses a major threat to coffee which by comparison is more capital intensive.

In Mathioya constituency, Murang’a, Pastor Simon Ngure says aerial yams faming is a lucrative venture. The cleric quit coffee farming in 2009 for aerial yams to the dismay of many but does not regret.

“I got one yam from a friend who had got it from Nigeria, I propagated it and was impressed by the returns. I shared some of it with my neighbours but the surplus was still overwhelming. I decided to turn it into a business venture, which has sustained my family and me to date,” he reminisces.

From propagation of the aerial yams, Ngure has not only earned himself fame and a spot in agricultural exhibitions across the country but has also earned himself fame, fortune and wealth.

“The demand for the seedlings is very high as more farmers embrace areal yams farming, the yams thrive well in almost all climatic conditions but grow best in cooler and warmer temperatures in the 20-30 degrees Celsius range,” he says.

He adds, “They prefer a consistent amount of rainfall but where rain is not sufficient, the plants should be adequately watered preferably twice a week.”

The propagated seedling is planted in a container with soil thoroughly mixed with well decomposed manure before digging the container into the soil in a 2-by-2 feet hole. He explains that the aerial yam is susceptible to moles that destroy its roots thus the container acts as a deterrent to the moles.

“After planting, the yams produce its first fruit at five months and it is important to provide climbing support for the yams as the vines can grow up to 65 feet,” he says.

The yam is also susceptible to aphids and he recommends use of rabbit urine to wade them off.

“I am an ambassador of organic farming by minimizing use of synthetic fertilisers so s to protect the soil from extreme acidity, therefore in case of aphid attack, we use rabbit urine, “he says.

Granted, it is paramount for a farmer to rear rabbits alongside aerial yam farming. Ngure has 100 stems of the aerial yam in his eighth acre piece of land and harvests up to 20 kilogrammes per stem with a 20 kilogramme bucket of the yams retailing at between Ksh6,000 ($46.28) to Ksh8,000 ($62).

“To propagate the yams, after harvesting, I store the yams in cool dry and dark room for 6 to 8 weeks after which they start budding and are ready to be planted” he notes

A seedling goes at Ksh300 ($2.31).

Ngure is however considering aerial yams value addition to produce flour which will not only extend the yams shelf life but also provide an extra source of revenue. Notably, the yams have rich nutritional and health benefits as they are rich in calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron.

Moreover, he offers agricultural support to other farmers embracing the farming of aerial yams as his farm is not without visitors’ eager to see the magical hanging yam. He urges more farmers to embrace aerial yams farming for food security and continuity of indigenous traditional foods that have far reaching health benefits and promote healthier lifestyles.

“You can intercrop the yams with beans, kales and other non-climbing plants so as to reap more even from a small piece of land,” he adds.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Florence Kinyua