The International Potato Centre, in partnership with the World Food Program (WFP), has successfully introduced the orange-fleshed sweetpotato to the community of Karamoja.. Despite being a new crop, sweetpotato has quickly become a staple food, shifting from market purchases to homegrown consumption.
Due to this positive development and the ongoing food insecurity in the region, a study was conducted to determine the potential yields of sweetpotato. This information is crucial for future interventions and for schools and farmers to plan their production. It also aids stakeholders in planning and providing appropriate agronomic guidance for improved crop yields.
The study was conducted in four districts in Karamoja, targeting 52 plots from 52 farmers and four school plots. The results showed an average yield of 8.4MT/ha, significantly higher than the national average of 4.8MT/ha. This suggests that Karamoja can produce enough sweetpotato to feed its population.
Furthermore, the yields indicate that sweetpotato can withstand adverse climate conditions and still produce high yields, highlighting the crop's role in this rain-deficient sub-region.
Source: cipotato.org