Lone yam seller at the Labasa Market, Nidhan Singh, 65, is passionate about this crop although he does not plant it.

Over the years while going to villages to buy from yam farmers Mr Singh has acquired knowledge in knowing the different kinds of yams.

“I have built my contact over the years with yam farmers and my customers who contact me for the supply of yams for their family functions,” Mr Singh said.

“Now I know all the names of the different yams and how they are cultivated,” he said.

He has been selling yams the last ten years.

People would call from Viti Levu for yam tops as well.

From his earnings he has been able to buy the necessities for their household and pay the bills, as his four children have all been married and have a family of their own.

“There are many varieties of yams, they include sakalabuci, maso, taniela damu, taniela vula, beka, niumadu, sadro, jamani, murapoi,” he said.

“In a year, I would sell close to 15 tonnes of yams.”

According to the Itaukei calendar, yam is known to be planted for six months and harvested in March.

However, there is a certain variety that the Government is encouraging farmers to maintain.

Agriculture officer North Timoci Vakaboro said the old variety of yam should be maintained as it benefits food security during the climatic changes we’re facing right now.