Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP) combat malnutrition in Gulu

By Andrew Masinde  

Cases of malnutrition in children less than five years in sub-counties Bobi and Koro in Gulu district have been reduced by the new orange fleshed sweet potatoes.

“We used to travel long distances to Bobi health centres to look for Vitamin A supplements for our malnourished babies. Bobi is seven kilometres away from my home and I could ride a bicycle with my 1year old daughter,” said Santa Angeyo a resident of Kal village in Koro sub-county Gulu district.

 Angeyo recounted that she almost lost interest because she used to visit the health centre every after two weeks for more supplements and to make matters worse, she would find long queues.

This was during the supervision of the progress of the Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP) distributed by World Vision to residents of Koro and Bobi sub-counties.

The OFSP are rich in Vitamin A, a deficiency that is widespread among children bellow five years and has severe consequences on them.

OFSP is also rich in β-carotene and well accepted by young children.

Simpson Biryabaho, the project manager Harvest Plus said micronutrient deficiency causes retarded growth and underdevelopment among children.

“The most prevalent form of micro nutrient deficiency among children in northern Uganda is vitamin A deficiency. The lack of vitamin A in the body causes mental retardation, limited attention span and stunted growth among children,” said Biryabaho.

trueWorld Vision officials touring a garden of one of the beneficiaries of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP) . Photo by Andrew Masinde

He added that in Gulu, it is estimated that 1 in every 5 children under the age of five is mentally retarded as a result of vitamin A deficiency.

This is one of the reasons why some children do not enrol in school and also accounts for the high school dropout rates among pupils in primary education.

He further explained that the aim of the Developing and Delivering Bio-fortified Crops (DDBC) is to reduce micro nutrient deficiency in children under five and women of child bearing age.

The project promotes production and consumption of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP), a variety of sweet potatoes rich in Vitamin A and High Iron Beans (HIB).

Excited Xavier Atine 33 years said these potatoes have also helped her take her children to school, she makes donuts out of the orange sweet potato flour.

“I sell each at sh200 and make between  sh8000  and sh10000 per day,” said Atine.