Food and agricultural experts associated with the African Potato Association (APA) have called upon the Ugandan government and development partners to channel investment towards extensive potato cultivation. This initiative is viewed as a strategy to foster food security and enhance sustainable agriculture practices.
The experts advocated for the adoption of climate-smart methodologies, encompassing improved seed varieties and efficient soil and water management, alongside enhanced pest and disease control to elevate agricultural productivity. Their remarks were part of the 13th APA five-day conference conclusions at Speke Resort Munyonyo, which coincided with Uganda's observance of the International Day of the Potato. This year's global theme concentrated on fostering climate-smart cropping systems for sustainable potato and sweet potato value chains, with delegates from Africa, Europe, and North America in attendance.
Dr. Kassim Sadik, Deputy Director General of Technology Promotion at the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), in his address, highlighted the requirement for augmented governmental investment in research and farmer training, emphasizing food and health security improvements. "We need to prioritise Irish and sweet potatoes as strategic commodities for food, nutrition, and income security, industrialisation, and economic development to solve famine and food scarcity," Dr. Sadik stated. He also suggested developing infrastructure and human resources to foster growth in the potato value chain, which is expected to generate employment and counteract brain drain. "It is time for African governments to promote digital innovations and build more processing industries for potato products to enhance value addition and market access," he added.
The 2024 nutrition resilience study conducted by NARO indicated that 37% of households in Karamoja experience food insecurity, with 51% being moderately affected. More than 70% rely on cereals and vegetables, while 60% reported consuming sweet potatoes the previous week. Dr. Fredrick Grant, Country Representative of the International Potato Centre (CIP), advised on expediting research into high-yield, disease-resistant potato varieties. "We must continue to invest in research, like focusing on high-yield potato breeds and disease-resistant protection varieties, for sustainable farming practice. By working together, we can transform the potato value chain—from seed production to market access," Dr. Grant remarked.
Additionally, Dr. Sylvester Dickson Baguma, Interim Executive Director of the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), underscored the necessity for innovations to counter pests and diseases afflicting potato farming. "We also need to come up with new technology innovations to make meat-looking, value-added products from the purple potato. As Africans, we are now focusing on moving to the first economy—we have all the resources," Dr. Baguma mentioned.
The recent APA Conference placed emphasis on innovation, research, and partnerships, crucial for constructing resilient, sustainable, and inclusive value chains of potatoes and sweet potatoes within Africa. It served as a platform for scientists, experts, and policymakers from various regions to engage in discussions on research advances, policy strategies, and investment prospects.
Source: Monitor