Yam (Dioscorea spp.) is an important food crop especially in the yam zone of West Africa. Although more than six hundred species of the tuber exist, only a few are important as staple food in the tropics. These include white yam (D. rotundata), yellow yam (D. Cayenensis), water yam (D. alata), trifoliate yam (D. dumetorum), aerial yam (D. bulbifera) and Chinese yam (D. esculenta).
West Africa accounts for ninety to ninety-five percent (90-95%) of world yam production with Nigeria the largest single producer. In 2004, global yam production was about fourty-seven million (47,000,000) metric tons (MT) with ninety-six percent (96%) of this coming from Africa.
Nigeria alone accounts for about seventy percent (70 %) of world production .It is the second most important root/tuber crop in Africa with production reaching just under one third the level of cassava.
In recent times due to the numerous products (yam chips, pellets, starch) that can be processed from yam tubers and the growing need for hygienically well packaged ready to use food product by the growing middle class in Nigeria, there is a gap in the supply of frozen yam chips in Nigeria thereby prompting a shift in the demand-supply equilibrium in favour of frozen yam chips producers.
The supply gap has been identified to continue to expand as the population of the country which is estimated to be two hundred million (200,000,000) continues to grow at three point five percent (3.5%) per annum.
The average consumption rate of yam and it bye-products in Nigeria is estimated at zero point five to one (0.5 – 1) kilogramme daily.
The major emphasis of this study is the commercial production of frozen yam chips. Frozen yam chip is a product derived from Yam that are frozen to preserve them before actual preparation/use. Frozen yam is a product that takes off the stress as it is easy to prepare.
Frozen yam chip, when prepared are mostly called French fries. French fries are batons of deep-fried yam. French fries are served hot, either soft or crispy, and generally eaten as part of lunch or dinner, or on their own as a snack, and they commonly appear on the menus of fast food restaurants. French fries are generally salted and are often served with ketchup; in many countriesthey are topped instead with other condiments or toppings, including vinegar, mayonnaise, or other local specialties.
The demand for the product is quite enormous and very high in Nigeria. The raw material (yam) is also readily available. The production technology is simple and the equipment’s are locally fabricated.
