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Herald Reporter

THE Government has added the orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) which is high yielding, drought-tolerant, and easy to grow, to the food basket. It is also a rich source of Vitamin A.

Speaking during the launch of OFSP, Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement Permanent Secretary Dr John Basera said there is a need to broaden the food basket for population and dietary diversity.

“The Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plan promotes a household sweet potato (and cassava) programme as an entry point towards diversified food and nutrition systems as well as income sources,” said Dr Basera.

The total area planted to sweet potatoes has been increasing.

During the 2020/21 season, 41 436 hectares were planted signifying a 102 percent increase from the previous season, a clear demonstration that sweet potato production is gaining prominence among farmers.

Dr Basera said agronomy research institute and partners have been working on Vitamin A rich orange-fleshed sweet potato, establishing multiplication centres in the communities and allowing farmers to select their preferred varieties.

HarvestPlus regional director for Africa Mr Donald Mavindidze said sweet potatoes were an important tuber crop in Zimbabwe, contributing to food, nutrition and income security.

“We must make a jump towards inclusion of orange-flesh sweet potato in the basket of safe and nutritious foods,” he said.