• Home
  • Advertisement
  • Contact Us
  • English
Friday, July 11, 2025
Mozambique Agri
  • News
    • All
    • Crops
    • Diary
    • Fresh Produce
    • Game & Wildlife
    • Livestock
    South Korea Boosts Food Aid to Mozambique with $7.6 Million

    South Korea Boosts Food Aid to Mozambique with $7.6 Million

    Mozambique Allocates Land for Zambia’s Dry Port in Nacala

    Mozambique Allocates Land for Zambia’s Dry Port in Nacala

    Mozambique’s Cashew Industry Surges, Nearing Historic Production Peaks

    Mozambique’s Cashew Industry Surges, Nearing Historic Production Peaks

    Youth Month Inspires Africa’s Next Generation of Sustainability Leaders with Student Innovation Competition

    Youth Month Inspires Africa’s Next Generation of Sustainability Leaders with Student Innovation Competition

    SERNIC Seizes Elephant Tusks in Tete, Three Arrested

    SERNIC Seizes Elephant Tusks in Tete, Three Arrested

    Maputo–Matola Intermodal Transport Integration Launches Pilot Phase

    Maputo–Matola Intermodal Transport Integration Launches Pilot Phase

  • Africa
    Youth Month Inspires Africa’s Next Generation of Sustainability Leaders with Student Innovation Competition

    Youth Month Inspires Africa’s Next Generation of Sustainability Leaders with Student Innovation Competition

    Mozambique and Neighbours Exit UN Hunger Hotspot List as Harvests Rebound

    Mozambique and Neighbours Exit UN Hunger Hotspot List as Harvests Rebound

    Unitrans Innovates to Meet Africa’s Logistics Demands

    Unitrans Innovates to Meet Africa’s Logistics Demands

    ASI Expands into Autonomous Construction with SoftBank

    ASI Expands into Autonomous Construction with SoftBank

    The Great African Land Rush: A Harvest of Hope or a Recipe for Strife?

    The Great African Land Rush: A Harvest of Hope or a Recipe for Strife?

    Africa’s Hunger Pains: A Continent on the Brink as Global Trade Wars Bite

    Africa’s Hunger Pains: A Continent on the Brink as Global Trade Wars Bite

  • Company
    South Korea Boosts Food Aid to Mozambique with $7.6 Million

    South Korea Boosts Food Aid to Mozambique with $7.6 Million

    Mozambique Allocates Land for Zambia’s Dry Port in Nacala

    Mozambique Allocates Land for Zambia’s Dry Port in Nacala

    Maputo–Matola Intermodal Transport Integration Launches Pilot Phase

    Maputo–Matola Intermodal Transport Integration Launches Pilot Phase

    Polluted Rivers Force Farmers to Abandon Agriculture in Manica

    Polluted Rivers Force Farmers to Abandon Agriculture in Manica

    Mozambique and Neighbours Exit UN Hunger Hotspot List as Harvests Rebound

    Mozambique and Neighbours Exit UN Hunger Hotspot List as Harvests Rebound

    Mozambican Cotton Czar Reaffirms Global Clout

    Mozambican Cotton Czar Reaffirms Global Clout

  • International
    Coral-rich Northern Mozambique Channel just became a UN World Restoration Flagship – Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique and Tanzania involved

    Coral-rich Northern Mozambique Channel just became a UN World Restoration Flagship – Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique and Tanzania involved

    Business Leaders from Mozambique and Dubai Talk New Investment Prospects.

    Business Leaders from Mozambique and Dubai Talk New Investment Prospects.

    India and Japan Forge Closer Ties with Billions in Development Loans

    India and Japan Forge Closer Ties with Billions in Development Loans

    Arrigoni Earns Gender Equality Certification

    Arrigoni Earns Gender Equality Certification

    Dutch Investors Eye Mozambique’s Agricultural Potential in Beira

    Dutch Investors Eye Mozambique’s Agricultural Potential in Beira

    Invictus Investment Bolsters African Footprint with Acquisition of Mozambique’s Largest Flour Miller

    Invictus Investment Bolsters African Footprint with Acquisition of Mozambique’s Largest Flour Miller

  • Markets
    Mozambican Sugar Exports Surge 50% to $36m, Bouncing Back from Cyclone Impacts

    Mozambican Sugar Exports Surge 50% to $36m, Bouncing Back from Cyclone Impacts

    It is through collective efforts and pursuit of mutual agreements and regional approaches and strategies that SADC can fully address national and intercountry investments on agriculture

    Mozambique, Saudi Arabia enhance agriculture cooperation

    Zoetis Holds First A.L.P.H.A. Plus Initiative Meeting in Kenya

    Zoetis Holds First A.L.P.H.A. Plus Initiative Meeting in Kenya

    It is through collective efforts and pursuit of mutual agreements and regional approaches and strategies that SADC can fully address national and intercountry investments on agriculture

    It is through collective efforts and pursuit of mutual agreements and regional approaches and strategies that SADC can fully address national and intercountry investments on agriculture

    Africa’s local ownership drive must balance foreign investment

    President Nyusi reminds investors of the agricultural opportunities available in Mocuba District

    Russia-Ukraine war poses upsides risks on African agriculture: Economist

    Russia-Ukraine war poses upsides risks on African agriculture: Economist

  • Equipment
    Atlas Copco and JR Compressors Make Strong Impression at Nampo 2025

    Atlas Copco and JR Compressors Make Strong Impression at Nampo 2025

    Telehandlers Drive Efficiency on South African Farms

    Telehandlers Drive Efficiency on South African Farms

    Unitrans Innovates to Meet Africa’s Logistics Demands

    Unitrans Innovates to Meet Africa’s Logistics Demands

    ASI Expands into Autonomous Construction with SoftBank

    ASI Expands into Autonomous Construction with SoftBank

    El Niño’s Grim Toll: UN Plea for €196 Million to Rescue Drought-Stricken Mozambique

    El Niño’s Grim Toll: UN Plea for €196 Million to Rescue Drought-Stricken Mozambique

    Clean Cooking Takes the Spotlight in Africa’s $40B Energy Drive

    Clean Cooking Takes the Spotlight in Africa’s $40B Energy Drive

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All
    • Crops
    • Diary
    • Fresh Produce
    • Game & Wildlife
    • Livestock
    South Korea Boosts Food Aid to Mozambique with $7.6 Million

    South Korea Boosts Food Aid to Mozambique with $7.6 Million

    Mozambique Allocates Land for Zambia’s Dry Port in Nacala

    Mozambique Allocates Land for Zambia’s Dry Port in Nacala

    Mozambique’s Cashew Industry Surges, Nearing Historic Production Peaks

    Mozambique’s Cashew Industry Surges, Nearing Historic Production Peaks

    Youth Month Inspires Africa’s Next Generation of Sustainability Leaders with Student Innovation Competition

    Youth Month Inspires Africa’s Next Generation of Sustainability Leaders with Student Innovation Competition

    SERNIC Seizes Elephant Tusks in Tete, Three Arrested

    SERNIC Seizes Elephant Tusks in Tete, Three Arrested

    Maputo–Matola Intermodal Transport Integration Launches Pilot Phase

    Maputo–Matola Intermodal Transport Integration Launches Pilot Phase

  • Africa
    Youth Month Inspires Africa’s Next Generation of Sustainability Leaders with Student Innovation Competition

    Youth Month Inspires Africa’s Next Generation of Sustainability Leaders with Student Innovation Competition

    Mozambique and Neighbours Exit UN Hunger Hotspot List as Harvests Rebound

    Mozambique and Neighbours Exit UN Hunger Hotspot List as Harvests Rebound

    Unitrans Innovates to Meet Africa’s Logistics Demands

    Unitrans Innovates to Meet Africa’s Logistics Demands

    ASI Expands into Autonomous Construction with SoftBank

    ASI Expands into Autonomous Construction with SoftBank

    The Great African Land Rush: A Harvest of Hope or a Recipe for Strife?

    The Great African Land Rush: A Harvest of Hope or a Recipe for Strife?

    Africa’s Hunger Pains: A Continent on the Brink as Global Trade Wars Bite

    Africa’s Hunger Pains: A Continent on the Brink as Global Trade Wars Bite

  • Company
    South Korea Boosts Food Aid to Mozambique with $7.6 Million

    South Korea Boosts Food Aid to Mozambique with $7.6 Million

    Mozambique Allocates Land for Zambia’s Dry Port in Nacala

    Mozambique Allocates Land for Zambia’s Dry Port in Nacala

    Maputo–Matola Intermodal Transport Integration Launches Pilot Phase

    Maputo–Matola Intermodal Transport Integration Launches Pilot Phase

    Polluted Rivers Force Farmers to Abandon Agriculture in Manica

    Polluted Rivers Force Farmers to Abandon Agriculture in Manica

    Mozambique and Neighbours Exit UN Hunger Hotspot List as Harvests Rebound

    Mozambique and Neighbours Exit UN Hunger Hotspot List as Harvests Rebound

    Mozambican Cotton Czar Reaffirms Global Clout

    Mozambican Cotton Czar Reaffirms Global Clout

  • International
    Coral-rich Northern Mozambique Channel just became a UN World Restoration Flagship – Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique and Tanzania involved

    Coral-rich Northern Mozambique Channel just became a UN World Restoration Flagship – Comoros, Madagascar, Mozambique and Tanzania involved

    Business Leaders from Mozambique and Dubai Talk New Investment Prospects.

    Business Leaders from Mozambique and Dubai Talk New Investment Prospects.

    India and Japan Forge Closer Ties with Billions in Development Loans

    India and Japan Forge Closer Ties with Billions in Development Loans

    Arrigoni Earns Gender Equality Certification

    Arrigoni Earns Gender Equality Certification

    Dutch Investors Eye Mozambique’s Agricultural Potential in Beira

    Dutch Investors Eye Mozambique’s Agricultural Potential in Beira

    Invictus Investment Bolsters African Footprint with Acquisition of Mozambique’s Largest Flour Miller

    Invictus Investment Bolsters African Footprint with Acquisition of Mozambique’s Largest Flour Miller

  • Markets
    Mozambican Sugar Exports Surge 50% to $36m, Bouncing Back from Cyclone Impacts

    Mozambican Sugar Exports Surge 50% to $36m, Bouncing Back from Cyclone Impacts

    It is through collective efforts and pursuit of mutual agreements and regional approaches and strategies that SADC can fully address national and intercountry investments on agriculture

    Mozambique, Saudi Arabia enhance agriculture cooperation

    Zoetis Holds First A.L.P.H.A. Plus Initiative Meeting in Kenya

    Zoetis Holds First A.L.P.H.A. Plus Initiative Meeting in Kenya

    It is through collective efforts and pursuit of mutual agreements and regional approaches and strategies that SADC can fully address national and intercountry investments on agriculture

    It is through collective efforts and pursuit of mutual agreements and regional approaches and strategies that SADC can fully address national and intercountry investments on agriculture

    Africa’s local ownership drive must balance foreign investment

    President Nyusi reminds investors of the agricultural opportunities available in Mocuba District

    Russia-Ukraine war poses upsides risks on African agriculture: Economist

    Russia-Ukraine war poses upsides risks on African agriculture: Economist

  • Equipment
    Atlas Copco and JR Compressors Make Strong Impression at Nampo 2025

    Atlas Copco and JR Compressors Make Strong Impression at Nampo 2025

    Telehandlers Drive Efficiency on South African Farms

    Telehandlers Drive Efficiency on South African Farms

    Unitrans Innovates to Meet Africa’s Logistics Demands

    Unitrans Innovates to Meet Africa’s Logistics Demands

    ASI Expands into Autonomous Construction with SoftBank

    ASI Expands into Autonomous Construction with SoftBank

    El Niño’s Grim Toll: UN Plea for €196 Million to Rescue Drought-Stricken Mozambique

    El Niño’s Grim Toll: UN Plea for €196 Million to Rescue Drought-Stricken Mozambique

    Clean Cooking Takes the Spotlight in Africa’s $40B Energy Drive

    Clean Cooking Takes the Spotlight in Africa’s $40B Energy Drive

No Result
View All Result
Mozambique Agri
No Result
View All Result
Home News Crops

Sweet potato ‘ideal dual-purpose crop’ for smallholders

Ian by Ian
June 20, 2019
in Crops, Fresh Produce, Markets, News
0
Sweet potato ‘ideal dual-purpose crop’ for smallholders
0
SHARES
154
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Orange-fleshed sweet potato leaves and roots are more ideal for boosting food security and solving nutritional deficiencies in resource-poor households rather than promoting their large-scale production for sale, a study suggests.

According to a 2012 survey conducted by South Africa’s Agricultural Research Council, about 44 percent of preschool children and 25 percent of women at childbearing age in the country were deficient in vitamin A.

Aware of micronutrient deficiencies known as ‘hidden hunger’ being a major problem affecting mostly rural resource-poor households in Sub-Saharan Africa, researchers say that supplementing diets with food rich in micronutrients including vitamin A is a potential solution.

“In most countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, the storage root of orange-fleshed sweet potato is consumed whereas the leaves are underutilised,” says Melvin Nyathi, researcher in vegetable and ornamental plants at the Netherlands-based Wageningen University and Research, and lead author of the study published in the Journal of Water Management last month (20 May).

In December-May 2014 and November-May in 2015, the researchers conducted a field study on the suitability of orange-fleshed sweet potato leaves and roots having a dual purpose of increasing food security and addressing nutritional deficiencies. The experiments assessed the production conditions of rural resource-poor smallholders including use of fertilisers.

“Utilising orange-fleshed sweet potato as a dual-purpose food crop is not an ideal practice for market-oriented farming; the loss of marketable storage root was about 50 per cent under well-fertilised conditions,” says the study. “[It] can be considered for less market-oriented rural resource-poor households.”

Nyathi explains: “Key findings of this study showed that utilising orange-fleshed sweet potato as a dual-purpose food crop will improve nutritional food security of rural resource-poor households because the leaves are available for consumption as a relish during the growing period and at the end of the growing period, the storage roots become available.”

He adds that smallholders should be encouraged to produce orange-fleshed sweet potato for their own consumption.

According to Nyathi, current government policies acknowledge the need to achieve higher food productivity but are silent on nutritional food security for all because they support higher productivity of mainstream crops.

“Policymakers should set up a new agenda that could play a major role in improving nutritional food security of the poor by promoting crops that are highly nutritious including orange-fleshed sweet potato, which has a potential of being used as a dual-purpose food crop,” he says.

Sunette Laurie, a sweet potato breeding expert based at South Africa’s Agricultural Research Council, says the study is important because it provides more evidence of the potential use of this tasty starchy crop to be used and promoted as both a food crop and a solution to nutritional deficiencies.

Orange-fleshed sweet potato is fairly easy to grow, and the crop does not require much input after the first month as the canopy closes the area and weeding is not required further, Laurie adds.

She calls for South African policymakers to include orange-fleshed potato growing in programmes that targets smallholders to help achieve big impacts.

“In this way, South Africans would enjoy the benefits of orange-fleshed sweet potato [just like their counterparts] in countries such as Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Uganda,” she says.

Previous Post

Grapes Indaba convenes in Italy

Next Post

AGCO and AT Capital S.A to develop PAM agri project in Mozambique

Next Post
AGCO and AT Capital S.A to develop PAM agri project in Mozambique

AGCO and AT Capital S.A to develop PAM agri project in Mozambique

Recent News

South Korea Boosts Food Aid to Mozambique with $7.6 Million

South Korea Boosts Food Aid to Mozambique with $7.6 Million

July 5, 2025
Mozambique Allocates Land for Zambia’s Dry Port in Nacala

Mozambique Allocates Land for Zambia’s Dry Port in Nacala

July 5, 2025
Mozambique’s Cashew Industry Surges, Nearing Historic Production Peaks

Mozambique’s Cashew Industry Surges, Nearing Historic Production Peaks

July 1, 2025

Mozambique’s Cashew Industry Surges, Nearing Historic Production Peaks

Mozambican Sugar Exports Surge 50% to $36m, Bouncing Back from Cyclone Impacts

Start Right, Harvest Big: Practical Tips for Maize Germination

New Amarex

New Amarex
Mozambique Agri

Moz-Agri Magazine is a source of news worthy information in the Mozambican agricultural sector with a nationwide distribution boasting of a decent print run of 9,350 copies per edition.

  • Advertisement
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Moz-Agri Magazine | Website by NES Africa Group.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Advertisement
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Moz-Agri Magazine | Website by NES Africa Group.