Yam Stick Stalking Method in Okene, Kogi State :How Farmers Support Yam Vines After Rain

Greetings to all farmers in Nature and Agriculture Community. Today I went to my hometown in Okene kogi state to help my father’s friend farm after the rain. We did stick stalking for yam vines and I want to share how we do it.Photos are taken with my Infinix smart10 on 4th June 2026.

Yam is one of the major tuber crops in Kogi State, Nigeria. In Okene area, yam farming is our culture and main source of income for many families. After rainfall, farmers resume work on the farm to support the growing yam vines.

rope like plant from the yam called tendril

Today I worked on my father’s friend farm. The task was to stalk yam sticks into the ground for already germinated yam. This process is called stalking or stake setting in agriculture.

I am from Okene, Kogi State. In our region, yam is called the king of crops because the profit from yam is higher than cassava, maize or groundnut. But yam farming requires a lot of labor.The process of stalking starts in the forest. First, we search for strong wooden sticks. Not every stick is good. We cut them down with a sharp cutlass. An unsharp cutlass makes the work very difficult.

After cutting, we gather the sticks and carry them to the farm. The next step is digging holes in the soil where yam seeds were planted months ago.

Yam sticks properly arranged

searching for yam stick

Yam sticks

By now the yam must have germinated and produced tendrils. Tendrils are thin, rope-like parts that grow from the yam vine. These tendrils climb and hold the stick so the plant can grow upward. Without sticks, the yam will spread on the ground and produce poorly.

Stalking the sticks helps the yam grow better and gives higher yield during harvest. Though the work is hectic and takes months, the final harvest gives farmers great satisfaction.

tying the tendrils to the yam sticks

Thanks for reading about our farming method in Kogi State. Farming is hard work but it feeds the nation.What crop is the king of crops in your country or state Share with me in comments.

@newchampion, what the king crop in your state?