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Researcher urges farmers to grow orange sweet potatoes for better health, wealth
Mr Paul Ahimbisibwe, a research Assistant at International Potato Center explains to the farmers and pupils benefits of the orange potato products. PHOTO/TAUSI NAKATO
As curtains closed on the 30th Source of the Nile National Agriculture and Farmers’ Show in Jinja City on August 4, farmers have been encouraged to turn to growing orange flesh sweet potatoes to boost their health and wealth.
The annual show, which started on July 26, was organised by the Uganda National Farmers’ Federation (UNFFE), which said this year’s edition attracted 450 local and international exhibitors, up from 360 who were registered last year.
Ms Winfred Akech, a Research Associate with International Potato Centre, a global Non-Governmental Organisation, said these varieties of sweet potatoes are high yielding, early maturing, drought-tolerant and rich in Vitamin ‘A’ which is useful in boosting immunity in children, breastfeeding mothers and elderly.
“The sweet potato puree can be used for making porridge, cakes, chapatti and mandazi, which, when consumed, help in boosting immunity and increasing farmer’s income. Juice and fresh vegetables are also made from the orange sweet potatoes,” she said on August 3.
She added: “By using orange sweet potato flour or puree to partially replace wheat in baking, there is reduced wheat consumption making it a healthier and cheaper option. Akech further explained that the orange fleshed sweet potato vines, peeling and non-marketable roots can be processed into silage for consumption by animals.
“The International Potato Center jointly with the Government of Uganda (through MAAIF) and WFP is also promoting adoption of the orange flesh sweet potato in fragile communities like Karamoja region and refugee settlements to reduce the burden on the host community and provide much needed nutrition to the people of concern.”
The chairperson of Wakiso District-based Bavubuka Twekembe Youth Group, who deals in production of silage from the orange flesh sweet potato, Mr Vincent Lutwama, said his life has changed economically.
“I was empowered by the International Potato Centre to start processing silage which I sell to farmers for feeding cattle. My group was given machines in 2017, which we put to use and make silage out of sweet potato vines and give us a lot of money,” Mr Lutwama said.
From such a venture, Mr Lutwama says he has been able to buy a piece of land and pay school fees for his children since they received the machines.
Ms Caroline Komujuni, a worker at Namugongo Millers, said she does value addition on orange flesh sweet potatoes, but her work is hampered by limited supply.
“I specialised in grinding orange sweet potato flour to make cakes, bread, mandazi, juice, chapatti, but find hardships in getting raw materials, yet the demand is high,” she said.
