TERENGGANU - Terengganu Mentri Besar Ahmad Said was once ridiculed for saying that Asiatic Bitter Yam (Dioscorea Hispida) contains the right steroid to turn a woman voluptuous and called for in-depth research on the common potato species.

After a year, Ahmad proved his critics wrong ad research revealed that this yam is an excellent source of beta-carotene and diosgenin, a powerful phytochemical that aids in optimal breast enlargement.

This yam also contains phytoestrogens that are associated with relief from menopausal symptoms.

"People made a mockery of me, labelling me all sort of names when I said that this yam that is found in abundance here benefits women and could be commercialised if proper research is done on its health properties.

"I am glad that finally a local university has came forward to have research conducted on the health properties of this yam," he said during the signing of MOU between Universiti of Sultan Zainal Abidin and Terengganu Government to spearhead the study on the yam locally known as Ubi Gadong.

The MOU was sealed between state government represented by State Secretary Datuk Mazlan Ngah and the university that was represented by its vice-chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Alias Daud.

With the M.O.U, the state government will provide a grant of RM2mil to the varsity for research and development on the yam.