In Burundi, yam cultivation has long been the basis for community nutrition. It is a traditional food crop that occupied a prominent place in agriculture. This crop has been easily integrated into agricultural farming systems due to its high production capacity and its high level of adaptation to marginal conditions. However, with the introduction of new varieties of other root and tuber crops, in particular cassava and sweet potatoes, yam cultivation has been gradually abandoned in favor of cassava, which is likely to have multiple uses. Despite this, yams produce the largest tubers that are generally eaten cooked in water and rarely processed. They are grown in association or in pure culture and present numerous development opportunities. The main yam species once cultivated in Burundi was Dioscorea alata known as “Igisunzu” in the regions of Kirimiro, Buyenzi and Moso or “Ikire” in the Imbo and Mirwa regions or “Ikire” in the Imbo and Mirwa regions. Gradually, other varieties were domesticated first by indigenous communities and then by isolated farmers by simple seed exchange.

The Institute of Agricultural Sciences of Burundi later found the interest in rehabilitating this crop, which has an important role in food security. The species concerned are Dioscorea alata, Dioscorea dumetorum (Ikiriga) and Dioscorea rotundata (Igihonge). The latter occupies the second position in Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces after cassava in terms of production and market prices. Each of these species has several varieties that are often adapted to very specific soils. The production of planting material consists in fractionating whole tubers into small fragments. In Burundi, yam is a crop that thrives well in low and medium altitude areas and tolerates low rainfall. Moso, like other regions, has known this culture for a long time. This culture is still observed in a few households in the eastern depressions where yam plants are scattered in the fields.

Given that tuber plants make a significant contribution to resilience to climate change, ISABU has conducted trials to rehabilitate and promote different yam varieties. The tests were carried out in three municipalities, namely Cendajuru of the Cankuzo Province, Kinyinya and Gisuru of the Ruyigi Province, namely (i) the conservation, multiplication and rational use of traditional plant genetic resources as well as (ii) the evaluation of their resilience to climate change. This activity was carried out in collaboration with UCODE/AMR and Louvain Cooperation.