In Kenya, the demand for roots and tubers crops including cassava and sweet potatoes is expected to continue to grow. According to Dr Oscar Magenya, the Agriculture Research secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, this is driven partly by rapid urbanisation and changing dietary habits.
“In many of our towns and cities, the roots and tubers have made a steady transition from the perception as a low-income food option, a few decades ago, to becoming part of the mainstream dietary choices even for the upper and the growing middle class,” he said. Still, he stated that production of main root crops such as cassava, sweet potato, coco yam and yams remains below potential.
“The transition of the status of these crops presents a challenge to policymakers, researchers, and other value chain actors. They need to strengthen the roots and tubers value chains in order to increase their competitiveness in our agri-food systems,” Magenya said.
The estimated per capita consumption of cassava, potato and sweet potato is 20 kgs, 33 kgs and 18 kgs, respectively. This means that, based on the current population of 54 million people, Kenya’s requirement is 1.1 million tons, 1.8 million tons, and 1.0 million tons respectively, while the annual production is estimated as 0.82 million tons, 1.7 million tons and 0.81 million tons respectively.
Source: the-star.co.ke