The anticipated twofold increase in C & ocirc;te d'Ivoire's population within the next three decades poses a significant challenge for agricultural research to sustain food security. Despite being an under-researched and often neglected crop, yam remains the primary staple food and a crucial source of income in the country. With an annual estimated market value of over 2000 billion CFA francs, yam ranks among the top five most economically valuable crops in C & ocirc;te d'Ivoire. For the past 15 years, yam production has experienced a decline in productivity, which has been compensated for by expanding the cropped area. Unfortunately, this approach exacerbates the risk of deforestation and soil degradation. Additionally, the impact of climate change on yam production, coupled with a lack of financial resources to address it, has rendered this unsustainable mode of production even more precarious. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of the effects of climate change on yam production in C & ocirc;te d'Ivoire. We investigated the reasons for the productivity decline and described the risks on food security. Furthermore, we explained how varietal innovation of Dioscorea alata could play a critical role in mitigating these effects and outlined related research avenues that need to be explored. To help policymakers and research programme directors justify the importance of this agenda, this article presents the main arguments in favour of a substantial investment in adapting yam production to the global changes affecting Cote d'Ivoire.