Sweetpotato Programme

The Sweetpotato Programme is one of the seven crop-based programmes of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike. Active research on sweetpotato at the Institute commenced in the late 1970s. Before the commencement of active research, sweetpotato was largely regarded as a volunteer or discard crop. Over the years, sustained research has contributed to significant improvements in the cultivation and utilization of the crop and its contribution to Nigeria’s agricultural and food economy.

The Programme has a national mandate for the genetic improvement of sweetpotato, development of improved production packages, formulation of pest and disease management strategies, development of post-harvest technologies, and extension of research findings to end users through established channels.

Programme Focus

The Sweetpotato Programme focuses on creating health and wealth through research and technology development in sweetpotato production, utilization, and value-chain development.

Key areas of focus include the release of proven varieties that meet farmers’ preferences in terms of food quality and quantity. Particular attention is given to orange-fleshed sweetpotato, with its potential contribution to addressing Vitamin A deficiency among under-fives, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

The Programme also addresses challenges associated with the short shelf life of sweetpotato through in-ground and on-shelf storage experiments and improvements to indigenous storage methods.

Pest and disease incidence is another major area of attention. The Programme focuses on the development and release of pest- and disease-tolerant varieties with good yield, as well as field studies involving botanical and cultural methods for managing sweetpotato weevils.

Other areas of focus include strengthening the sweetpotato value chain, creating entrepreneurship opportunities, improving rural farmers’ income, creating awareness, developing market linkages, and improving productivity through appropriate weed-control measures and efficient use of organic and inorganic fertilizers.

Mandate

The Sweetpotato Programme’s national mandate covers:

• Genetic improvement of sweetpotato.
• Development of improved production packages for sustainable high yields.
• Formulation of pest and disease management strategies.
• Development of post-harvest technologies.
• Extension of research findings to end users through established channels.
  
  

These activities are aligned with NRCRI’s broader national mandate to undertake research on the genetic improvement, production, processing, storage, utilization, and socio-economics of root and tuber crops of economic importance.

Research Achievements

The Sweetpotato Programme has recorded several research achievements, including:

• Release of two new orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties with high carotenoid contents and one white-fleshed variety.
• Development of purple-fleshed sweetpotato clones with high anthocyanin content.
• Identification of sweetpotato varieties suitable for fresh fries, fried products, and kunnu.
• Development of hybrid seeds through open pollination.
• Introduction and selection of elite varieties for different ecological conditions and uses in Nigeria.
• Development and release of two orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties with high β-carotene, a precursor of provitamin A.
• Development of improved agronomic packages for higher yield per unit area.
• Development of 2-node cutting and grooving techniques for rapid generation of planting materials.
• Development of a dry-season irrigated sweetpotato nursery technique for conserving planting materials during the dry season.
• Development of cultural and botanical insecticide technologies for managing sweetpotato weevils, Cylas, and Bemisia tabaci.
• Development of techniques for extending the post-harvest shelf life of sweetpotato roots by 3–4 months in moist sawdust, compared with 2–4 weeks when not properly stored.
• Development of various recipes and blends for different uses.
• Introduction of three (3) forage varieties for livestock farmers.
• Development of appropriate weed-control measures for improving sweetpotato yield.
• Development of appropriate fertilizer rates and improved fertilizer-use efficiency.
• Development of improved fallow systems for sustainable sweetpotato production using Mucuna species.

Research Goals and Interventions

The Programme’s research interventions include intensifying the release of proven varieties that meet farmers’ preferences for food quality and quantity; addressing reduced shelf life through storage research; and developing pest- and disease-tolerant varieties with good yield.

The Programme also focuses on strengthening the sweetpotato value chain through entrepreneurship, income generation, awareness creation, and market-linkage activities. In addition, production packages addressing weed control and efficient fertilizer use are being pursued to create conditions for increased productivity.

The Programme also undertakes the abstraction of published articles on sweetpotato in Nigeria.

Collaborating Institutions

The Programme’s listed collaborating institutions include:

• International Potato Center (CIP), Peru
• Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Abuja
• Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) of States
• Potato Farmers Association (POFAN)
• Potato Growers, Growers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (POGMAN)
• Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)
  
  

Advancing Sweetpotato Research and Utilization

Through sustained research in genetic improvement, production, pest and disease management, post-harvest technologies, and technology dissemination, the Sweetpotato Programme contributes to the improvement of sweetpotato production and utilization in Nigeria. Its research activities support the development of improved varieties and production technologies while addressing important challenges associated with the crop.