Agronomic practices and causes of decline in trifoliate yam (Dioscorea dumentorum Kunth Pax) production in Enugu State, Nigeria

Trifoliate yam is a species of yam with limited documented research and information on its production and importance in spite of its high yielding quality, nutritional, medicinal and industrial uses. This study was therefore carried out to describe agronomic practices, production trend and causes of decline in trifoliate yam production in Enugu state, Nigeria. Three agricultural zones, six blocks, eighteen circles and 108 respondents purposively selected from the state constituted sample for the study. An interview schedule was used to collect data while percentage, mean score and standard deviation were used for data analysis. Findings of the study reveal that the respondents had no extension contact but sourced information on trifoliate yam from neighbours, friends or relatives (90.7%). Hence they produced trifoliate yam using indigenous methods and varieties (73.1%). Production trend shows that mean size of land allocated to trifoliate yam production was relatively steady, mean cost of input and income were increasing while mean output was decreasing within the years under consideration (before 2001 to 2014). Poor finance (x=1.8) and drudgery (x=1.72) were some of the causes of decline in trifoliate yam production in the area. The study recommended that more research and public enlightenment campaign on the importance of trifoliate yam should be carried out by research institutes and extension organisations respectively in order to attract interest of people in growing, consumption and industrial utilization of the crop. This will prevent the crop from going extinct but contribute to food security and sustainable development. Key words: Agronomic practices, causes, decline, trifoliate yam.