In La Côte d'Ivoire, yam production is focused in the central and northern regions, specifically in the cities of Bouaké, Yamoussoukro, and Korhogo. Planting takes place during the rainy season, from April to July, and the harvest occurs from October to January, with the peak period being November and December. Traditional methods are primarily used for yam cultivation, although some modern techniques like fertilizers and irrigation are also being adopted.

Some common yam species grown in La Côte d'Ivoire with their local names include Dioscorea rotundata, locally known as bété-bété. This is a popular white yam variety that is widely cultivated and consumed in La Cote d’Ivoire. Another common species is Dioscorea cayenensis, locally known as Kponan, which is a yellow yam species loved for its sweet taste and firm texture. There's also Dioscorea alata (Bouaké), a water yam grown in swampy areas and valued for its high yield. Additionally, Dioscorea esculenta (Kakro) is a lesser yam variety with small, sweet tubers, often used in traditional dishes. Finally, Dioscorea bulbifera, known locally as Koko, is an aerial yam species that produces small bulb-like tubers on the vine.

Uses Of Yam

In La Côte d’Ivoire, yams are used for various culinary, traditional, and economic purposes as shown below.

Food and Nutritional Uses

Yams are a vital food source. "Qui ne mange pas d'igname, ne connaît pas la force". This French proverb is translated as “he who doesn't eat yam, doesn't know strength", emphasizing yam's nutritional value. Yams are rich in essential nutrients like starch, proteins, fiber, lipids, vitamins, and minerals. They can be boiled, roasted, or fried. Yam can also be pounded to make foutou, a traditional dish. Dried and ground yams are used as flour for baking. Yam peels and leftovers are used as animal feed.

Economic Uses

Yams are essential not only for food security and socio-cultural traditions but yams are also sold in local markets, providing income for farmers and traders. In addition to being sold locally, La Cote d’Ivoire also exports yams to other countries in the sub-region, including Ghana and Nigeria, with potential markets in Europe. Additionally, yams are used in the production of starch, ethanol, and other industrial products

Traditional Uses

In La Côte d’Ivoire, yams are an essential part of the culture and traditions. Apart from being a delicacy, they also hold spiritual, cultural, and symbolic importance. Here are some traditional uses of yams in La Côte d’Ivoire:

- Rituals and ceremonies: Yams play a significant role in traditional rituals and ceremonies, such as weddings and harvest festivals.

- Ancestral worship: Yams are offered to ancestors as a sign of respect and gratitude.

- Gift-giving: Yams are presented as gifts to show respect, appreciation, and hospitality.

- Traditional Medicine: Yams are used in traditional medicine to treat ailments like fever, diarrhoea, and skin conditions.

- Cultural significance: Yams hold cultural and symbolic significance, representing abundance, fertility, and prosperity in Ivorian culture.

- Fertility rites: Yams are used in fertility rites to ensure a good harvest and abundance.

- Yam Masks: Yams are sometimes used to make masks for traditional dances and ceremonies.

Yam Festivals

Ivoirians celebrate several yam festivals to showcase the significance of yams in Ivorian culture, traditions, and daily life. Yam festivals are culturally significant as a tribute to the staple that sustains Ivorian society. These festivals often feature traditional music, dance, food, and rituals, highlighting the importance of staple food. They also bring people from different ethnic groups together to fraternize, promoting cultural diversity and unity. The following are some notable yam festivals:

- Fête de l’Igname, which means Yam Festival, is celebrated in either August or September by the people of Bouaké to mark the beginning of the yam harvest season.

- Fête de l’Abondance (Festival of Abundance): This festival is celebrated by the people of Gagnoa in January or February to celebrate the abundance of yams and express gratitude to the gods.

- Fête de la Culture (Culture Festival): This festival is celebrated by the people of Korhogo in December to showcase Ivorian culture and traditions, including yam cultivation.

- Fête des Récoltes (Harvest Festival): The people of Yamoussoukro celebrate Fête des Récoltes in October or November to show gratitude to the gods and celebrate the yam harvest.

Yam occupies an important place in La Cote d’Ivoire’s food security, identity, culture, and socio-economic life.

REFERENCE

Information from https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ppp3.10459#:~:text=C%C3%B4te%20d'Ivoire%20is%20the,and%20maize%20(524%2C224%20ha) and https://www.agrifoodscience.com/index.php/TURJAF/article/view/5897 was used in this story