ABSTRACT
Elephant foot yam probably originated from India or Sri Lanka. It is grown in Bangladesh, India, Southeast Asia and Africa. It is also found growing wild in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Southeastern Asian countries. Elephant foot yam also known as Suran and Zamikand is a potential tropical tuber crop. Though the crop is perennial due to underground stem, it is treated as an annual with duration of 8 to 9 months. The tubers are rich in carbohydrates, starch, calcium, phosphorous, potassium and vitamin C. Tubers of elephant foot yam are mainly used as vegetable after thorough cooking. Its tubers, rich in starch, are used for making chips. Tender stem and leaves are also used as vegetables. The crop can be grown in any types of soil. However, well-drained, fertile, sandy loam soil rich in humus is ideal for the cultivation of elephant foot yam successfully.
