English Name:Yam
botanical Name:Dioscorea
native name:Udia
Yams are rich carbohydrate, and therefore a good source of energy.
It is a plant is a perennial crop and there are over 500 species of yam but just few a of them worth of commercial importance. the most common specie are:
Dioscorea rotundata (white yam)
Dioscorea alata (yellow yam)
Dioscorea bulbifera (aerial potato)
Dioscorea opposita (Chinese yam)
Dioscorea esculenta (Southeast Asian yam)
Dioscorea dumenterum (trifoliate).

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Base on research West African is the largest producers of yam in the world with Nigeria leading by over 70% of the production.

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Health Benefits

1. It is a good source of energy
2. It is rich in fiber
3. Yam has been used as a traditional medicine in countries China, Korea and Japan.
4. It is a good source of minerals like Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B1, folic acid, riboflavin, and niacin.