The orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) is a game changer when it comes to nutrition and fighting malnutrition among pregnant women and children under 5 years old. Malnutrition impairs educational achievements and economic productivity, costing the government and families enormous amounts of money to treat related illnesses. Adequate nutrition is a prerequisite for human development and socioeconomic well-being.
NARO, in collaboration with the World Food Program’s Karamoja Office and district local government production offices in the Karamonja Subregion, has been promoting the production and consumption of the orange-fleshed sweet potato in the Karamoja Subregion.
The Root Crops Programme of NaCRRI has been promoting orange-fleshed sweet potato production in the Karamoja subregion for the last two years with promising results. Through school demonstration gardens and demonstration fields, farmers and families have had access to clean OFSP vines for multiplication, coupled with training on their production and management, greatly impacting the lives of young children below five and pregnant mothers.
A number of beneficiaries, especially mothers, shared their stories regarding the improvement in the health of children who were initially on nutrition supplement support under the health centers and who, once they started eating orange-fleshed potatoes, were removed from the program. These testimonies were taken during farmer field days and media awareness campaigns that were held in the districts of Kotido, Moroto, Karenga, and Nabilatuk to promote the production and consumption of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes in the region.
Dr. Paul Okullo, Director of NARO Nabuin ZARD, emphasized the need for children to consume foods rich in vitamin A because it is crucial for a child’s physical and mental development. He further said that the varieties being promoted by NARO are drought-resistant, early-maturing, and tolerant to a number of pests and diseases, and the need to raise awareness about the benefits of eating OFSP to families in the region cannot be overemphasized.
The Programme Leader for Root Crops, Dr. Benard Yada, informed us that the consumption of 1.25 grams of OFSP roots per day provides enough vitamin A for children or pregnant mothers. A practice that has proved to reduce malnutrition and improve the health of those consuming it. He also confirmed the two varieties being promoted by NARO in the Karamoja subregion as NAROpot 7.0 and NAROpot 6, respectively.
The NAROspot 7 variety yields more, has a higher beta-carotene content than all previously released varieties, and is currently being used by agro-processors in the confectionary industry due to its suitability for value addition.
The promotion of the production and consumption of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes in the Karamoja region is being done with support from WFP Karamoja Station, the Bill and Belinda Gates Foundation, and USAID-Feed the Future Research Agenda.