Raw yams are heavy, perishable, and bulky to store or ship. Yam flour, by contrast, is:
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Lightweight and non-perishable, lasting up to 24 months when packaged correctly.
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In-demand globally, especially in diaspora markets, health stores, and ethnic supermarkets.
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More profitable: Processed yam sells for 2–4x the price of raw yam.
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Flexible: Can be used for amala, baby food, baking, thickening, or gluten-free alternatives.
Processing also creates jobs in drying, milling, packaging, and distribution — spreading the economic benefit across communities.