Govt unveils three varieties of purple fleshed sweet potatoes

The Ugandan government, through the National Agriculture Research Organisation (NARO), has unveiled three varieties of purple fleshed sweet potato to respond to consumer needs.

“I congratulate the scientists for releasing the purple fleshed sweet potatoes to fight cancer, hypertension," said agriculture minister Frank Tumwebaze while unveiling the varieties.

This was on Friday during the World Food Day celebrations at the Mbarara Zonal Agriculture Research and Development Institute (MBAZARDI).

Products from the purple fleshed potatos

The minister urged farmers to invest in traditional food security crops like cassava, sweet potatoes, and millet, in addition to growing pasture for livestock.

This is according to Dr Bernard Yada, the head of the root crops programme at NARO.

In line with agro-industrialization, the potatoes can be processed into flour for making of products like biscuits. They can also be used to make crisps, wine and other beverages.

To access the varieties, farmers have to make use of the different research institutes, starting with NaCRRI at Namulonge.

Variety one: NAROSPOT 8P

This matures within three to four months. It moderately resists weevils, and the Alternaria blight diseases. In terms of yield, this variety yields up to 20.75 tonnes per hectare. It has good dry matter content at 36.7% and the Anthocyanin (cancer-fighting element) at 248.6mg/I. It is best served boiled and steamed.

Variety two: NAROSPOT 9P

This matures between three to four months. It is resistant to weevils and Alternaria blight. It yields up to 19.35 tonnes per hectare, with a dry matter content of 35.6% and Anthocyanin content at 222.6mg/I. It is also good for boiling, mashing and processing.

Variety three: NAROSPOT 10P

It has a maturity period of four months. It resists weevils and Alternaria blight. It yields 20.32 tonnes per hectare with a dry matter content of 35.6% and Anthocyanin at 227.7mg/I.