Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried the high cost of yams in domestic markets, saying it had forced them to settle for Irish and sweet potatoes.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that owing to the skyrocketing cost of yams, many FCT residents have moved their patronage to Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes, as alternatives to the staple food.
A civil servant, Mrs Kindness Jude, said many yam traders were the same people selling Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes in Goza market and were making sales as usual.
Jude said, Irish and sweet potatoes had flooded all the spaces that yams used to occupy in the market since they were more affordable.
“I buy more potatoes as an alternative to one tuber of yam for N1,200.
“Many people don’t know the nutritional value of Irish and sweet potatoes, they come in seasons, they are now the best and most affordable staple food in the market.
‘The method of preparation is the same as yam, it can be fried, boiled or made as porridge but they both taste different,” she said.
Madam Veronica Bawa, who sells yams at Goza Market, told NAN that “it has been our practice to sell yams during its season and add potatoes to its sale when in season too.
”But this time, we cannot buy yams to sell, due to its high cost. And most of our yam customers have changed their preference to potatoes, so I have to also buy what they need so I can retain my customers.
”I will be selling potatoes for now, pending when new yam fully enters the market, towards the end of August or early September,” she said.
Mrs Eme Abang said “ my family and I love eating yam, but due to the hike in the price we now eat more of potatoes.
”Now with N200 to N500 you get a good number of potatoes for yourself and your family, instead of buying just a tuber of yam for N1,200 or N1,500.
”Right now with the price of potatoes, my family can still eat sweet or Irish potatoes as an alternative staple food,” she said.
Mr Mohammed Musa, who was in the market to buy food items, said sweet potatoes and Irish potatoes had helped many families cope with hunger season.
One small tuber of yam cost N1, 200 big sizes cost N1,500. As against potatoes, which is sold for between N200 to N500 for 10 sizeable ones.
”Right now a heap of five sizeable yams go for N6,500 to N7,000, against the price of a basket of Irish potatoes, which is sold for N800 to N1000 and a 50kg bag of sweet potatoes, which goes for N8000,” he said.
NAN
