UKUM SPECIAL YAM SHOW
Denen Achusah – Makurdi
It was His Eminence Prof JOI Ayatse, Tor Tiv, who in 2017 declared yam as a traditional crop. And like “Ankwase Hungwa Dyeregh,” in spite the cultivation of yam worldwide, Ukum “takari” (Ukum holds the access (the descerning ones should take note)) in the production of yams. Yam is a cash crop in Ukum. It is like citrus in Jechira and Jemgbagh. Most of the yam that is produced in Benue State comes from Sankera. Ukum is one of the three LGAs that comprised Sankera and arguably the largest producer of yams in the world.
Unlike in most parts of Tivland, its rather men that own the biggest yam farms in Ukum. In Jemgbagh, Kwande, Jechira, Lobi and Gwer, for instance, women own yam farms, with men cultivating grains, vegetables as well as own plantations. Although things have changed a lot.
Now, Ukum sons and daughters are warming up to exhibit the stuff they are made of. The Ukum LGC Chairman Steve Ayua, has called his kinsmen to a special yam show. The show is holding on the 10th, 11th and 12th March, 2021 at the Government Technical School, Zaki Biam.
Last year, someone from Konshisha LGA contended that Ukum LGA is behind Konshisha, when it comes to quality of yams produced. I don’t know if it is his statemrnt that has provoked Ayua to call his kinsmen, to show to the world that they don’t talk yams, they cultivate yams.
And so, it is not even the prizes for the various categories of contest during the show. It is the very essence of the show: “To showcase the Ukum potentials especially the yams to the world, and set the local government on a new enviable pedestal of development.”
A tourist destination is by this development created in Zaki Biam, the commercial nerve centre of Sankera and indeed, Benue State. Biam will see human traffic. The hotels will come alive. Business minded people will make a fortune. The March date for the show is a perfect timing. It is a time that humans, especially in warm conditions like Benue State prefer to be outdoor. I doff my cap for the Ukum council boss.
Enjoy the culinary prowess of Ukum womenduring the show. Pocho, ager, genger, atyever, tur, vambe, igyô, agbende a ashwe, mngishim, ashwe, atuur a sha nase, furum, adenger, gbungu, angahar a ikyuna, gbande, ichegher are but a few soups that make the journey between the mouth enroute the throat to the stomach enjoyable. Ijôv and aninge are best obtainable during the wet season. God’s willing, I’ll be life and direct, at the 2021 Ukum Special Yam Show, holding at the Government Technical School, Zaki Biam, from 10th to 12th March, 2021.
Way to go! We look forward to that exhibition, God willing it.