Tamale, Ghana – March 10, 2025
The Savannah Agricultural Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-SARI) has introduced a new Yam Variety Identification Technology System (YVITS) to enhance the quality and authenticity of yam varieties cultivated in Ghana.
The initiative, developed in collaboration with the Japan International Research Centre for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) and the Tropical Agriculture Research Front (TARF), aims to provide a reliable DNA fingerprinting method to confirm varietal purity and ensure farmers access quality planting material.
The YVITS toolkit employs Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) DNA marker techniques to verify yam varieties in a cost-effective and timely manner—within just a few days—using a basic laboratory setup.
“The technology supports yam improvement in Ghana and helps farmers access high-quality planting materials in large quantities, especially as rapid seed multiplication methods become more widespread,” said a CSIR-SARI representative during the dissemination workshop.
He also called on private sector investors to partner with research institutions to commercialize the technology and boost productivity across the yam value chain.
Tackling Market Confusion and Boosting Export Potential
The YVITS system addresses longstanding concerns over the mislabeling and sale of mixed yam varieties, such as Labaroko or white guinea yam, which undermine consumer confidence and hurt marketability. With this new system, yam stakeholders—researchers, seed producers, extension agents, and exporters—can now accurately identify and differentiate yam varieties for both local and export markets.
“This is a key step toward preventing misidentification and fraud in the seed yam sector,” said Frederick Awuku, Assistant Research Scientist at CSIR-SARI. “With YVITS, we’re bringing certainty to yam variety identification, which is critical for both farmers and the export market.”
Backed by Science, Built for the Field
Validated at the CSIR-SARI biotechnology laboratory, YVITS has proven highly effective in fingerprinting yam varieties cultivated across the country. Its open-access design means it can be used in basic lab facilities, making it accessible to regional research stations, seed inspection units, and agricultural extension officers.
Dr. Francis Kusi, Director of CSIR-SARI, emphasized the institute’s long-term commitment to developing practical, science-based tools that help all stakeholders in the yam value chain—from farmers and exporters to consumers and policy-makers—make informed decisions about variety selection.
“Yam is a major livelihood crop in Ghana, especially in the Northern Region, where it ranks as the top cash and food crop,” he said. “This technology will ensure that both producers and consumers benefit from greater transparency, traceability, and trust.”
Shinsuke Yamanaka, Director and Project Leader for Tropical Crop Genetic Resources at JIRCAS, noted that the toolkit supports research, seed production, and export by allowing users to quickly and accurately identify yam varieties, a crucial step in improving production consistency and market value.
SOURCE: GNA
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