Reviving the cultivation of an Indigenous Yam variety, Dioscorea SPP

In the past, Phan naitung (Yam, Dioscorea SPP) was grown in large quantities in the village of Khapmaw because it was a staple for the community. However, cultivation decreased in recent years as people began to consume rice as a staple instead of this specific crop.

Few community members from Khapmaw and all Agroecology Learning Circle (ALC) members were able to propagate tubers of Yam, Dioscorea SPP Plant, which is one of the important seeds from this village that is on the verge of extinction. Together they collected the tubers and contributed whatever they gathered to the Community Seed Bank (CSB), with the hope to increase the production of this particular variety. They have also  planted the crop during the planting season this year and will be harvesting between November to December.

Only a few ALC members have been growing Yam, Dioscorea SPP Plant, and due to low yield, it has not been propagated or shared with other communities. On another note, it does not sell well in the market.

The community members hope to preserve and promote this specific potato variety so that the traditional food system does not become extinct, and most importantly for the coming generations to recognise that this particular crop was consumed since time immemorial.

“Our main goal is to multiply the seeds so that we can sell them in the market. But as of now, it is very challenging since we are unable to sell due to a lack of demand”, shared Kong Philaiaineh Umsong, ALC member, Khapmaw, to the team members of NESFAS.

“As an ALC member, I have discovered various solutions to our challenges, in particular when it comes to our crops that are on the verge of perishing, through our brainstorming sessions. On the other hand, we have been experiencing a number of natural disasters that have harmed the crops that have been planted, and as a result, we are having difficulty obtaining millet, cucumber, and bitter tomato seeds, among other things.” remarked Kong Ambious Umsong.