Important!

• This module is designed to potentially serve a wide variety

of audiences (nutritionists and agronomists, policymakers,
extension workers, farmers).
• Not all of the material will be relevant to all audiences.
• Please refer to the accompanying Facilitator’s Guide for
guidance on how to adapt these materials to your audience
and facilitation best practices.

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 Legend
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Quick Review/Survey Questions
Brainstorming Session
Discussion Session
Group Activity
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End of Animation

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 Legal
• Unless otherwise noted, all images copyrighted to
International Potato Centre
• Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-
NC-SA 2.0)

3
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know
About Sweetpotato
Topic 2: The Origin and Importance of Sweetpotato
 The Origin and Importance of Sweetpotato

Introduction

5
 Welcome
During this session, we will examine where Sweetpotato comes
from and why this is important.

6
 Unit 1

Where Does Sweetpotato

Come From?

7
 Objectives
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
• Tell why it is challenging to trace the exact history of crop
plant species
• Name where and when sweetpotato was domesticated
• Describe where, when, and how sweetpotato spread across
the world

8
 Sweetpotato
Origin
• Human agency and
natural selection
affected history of
sweetpotato
− Farmers select,
use, exchange,
transport crops
• Domesticated 5,000
years ago in
Central America
− Traced by genetic
markers, oral/
written histories

9
 Spread of Sweetpotato Across the World
8000 BC  Sweetpotato present in Peru
1000 BC  Cultivated in Peru
 Staple all over tropical America, Caribbean
13th Century AD  Taken west to Easter Island and Hawaii

14th Century AD  Transported to Pacific Islands and New Zealand

Early 16th Century AD  Spanish explorers took from Mexico to
Philippines, Spain
 From Philippines to East Indies and India
Late 16th Century AD  Imported into China as food security crop during
famine
 Portuguese traders and slave traders took to Africa
and India
18th Century AD  British took from India to East Africa
 Spread from China to Japan

10
 Spread of Sweetpotato Cultivation
from Peru to the Pacific islands, overland across tropical
America, to the Philippines and Spain, and on to Africa
and India

11
 Quick Review

1. If you lived in Sub-Saharan Africa in the

year 1300 AD, would you have access to
sweetpotato?
2. Where did sweetpotato originate?

12
 Key Points
• Human agency and natural selection both affected the
history of the sweetpotato.
• Sweetpotato originated in tropical America.
• The plant was domesticated about 5,000 years ago.
• Beginning in the 13th century, sweetpotato began to spread
west throughout the Pacific.
• In the 16th century, sweetpotato spread east across the
Atlantic to Africa and Spain.

13
 Unit 2

Where is Sweetpotato
Produced and How Is It
Used?

14
 Objectives
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
• Describe the family tree and physical properties of the
sweetpotato plant.
• Tell whether sweetpotato is considered a root crop or a
tuber crop, and why.
• Compare the relative importance of sweetpotato and other
food crops in different parts of the world.
• Explain the different uses of sweetpotato in industry, food,
and medicine.
• List the ways sweetpotato is processed for food.
• List some of the factors that affect sweetpotato yield in
different areas.

15
 Global Importance
• Seventh most important
food crop
• 8 million hectares grown
(95% developing countries)
16
• Staple food in many places
− China top producer
− Particularly important in
Africa
 Sweetpotato Family
• Scientific name Ipomoea batatas
• Starchy root of a vine of the Convolvulaceae family
• 600+ species in genus Ipomoea
− 13 in section Batatas
• Sweetpotato only species cultivated and only one which is
hexaploid (6x =90)
• Staple food in many places, but often must compete with
other root and tuber crops
− Not closely related to yams or Irish (round) potatoes.

17
 Other Root/Tuber Crops
• Sweetpotato is a root crop
• Not closely related to yams
or Irish (round) potatoes
(tuber crops)
18
• Sweetpotato often must
compete with other root
and tuber crops for
cultivation area
 Roots vs. Tuber Crops
Root Crop
• Internal and external cell
structures of typical roots
• No nodes, internodes or
buds
19
Tuber Crop
• Modified stem (stolon or
runner)
• Thickens to become
specialised swollen stem for
use as storage organ
• Will have all normal parts of
stem, including nodes and
internodes
 Varieties of
Sweetpotato
• Sweetpotato variety
(cultivar) - group of
sweetpotato plants
− Genetically distinct
− Differ in certain
characteristics from other
groups of sweetpotato plants
• Outside skin may be white,
yellow, red, purple or
brown
• Flesh may be white, yellow,
orange or purple
• Range of tastes and
textures

20
 The Different Uses of Sweetpotato
• Food • Industrial
− Boil − Dye
− Roast − Starch
− Mash • Medical Uses
− Flour (noodles) − Used to produce edible
− Fermented (alcohol) vaccines (genetically
• Animal feed modified)
− Fresh
− Silage
− Cooked
− Dried

21
 Agronomic
Factors
• Yield varies by area
• Requires minimal
care
• Does not require
− Fertilisers
− Irrigation
• Grows in varying
− Altitudes
− Temperatures
− Planting seasons
− Harvest time

22
 Quick Review

1. What are the three main uses of

sweetpotato?
2. Is sweetpotato a root crop or a tuber crop?
How do we know this?
3. Describe different skin and flesh colours of
sweetpotatos.

23
 Key points
• Sweetpotato is not closely related to either yams or Irish (round)
potatoes.
• The many different varieties of sweetpotato are called cultivars.
• Sweetpotato is the seventh most important food crop worldwide.
• 95 percent of sweetpotatoes are grown in developing countries.
• Sweetpotato is among the staple foods in many places, but it often must
compete with other root and tuber crops.
• Sweetpotato is cooked and preserved in many ways; it is even dried into
noodles and fermented for alcohol.
• The industrial uses of the plant include dyes and starch.
• Sweetpotatoes are also used to produce edible vaccines.
• Due to a variety of factors and barriers, the plants have greater or
poorer yields in different regions.

24
 Unit 3

What Trends Are Affecting

Sweetpotato Production and
Use?

25
 Objectives
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
• Give several reasons why root and tuber crops are becoming
prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Explain why sweetpotato is a healthy, nutritionally valuable
food.
• Describe the health benefits of a diet that includes
sweetpotato.

26
 Root & Tuber Crops in SSA
Effects of Urbanisation Advantages of OFSP
• Decline in cultivable land • High yield
• Increasing population • Low
− Labour requirement
− Cost
− Risk

27
 Sweetpotato
Benefits
• Income for farmers
• Multiple food
sources
− Root
− Vine
− Leaves

28
 Sweetpotato
Benefits (cont.)
• High nutrition
− Vitamins A, C, E, B
− Iron
− Zinc
− Potassium
− Fiber
• Alternative to flour
for consumers who
cannot tolerate
grains

29
 Health Benefits
• Disease preventing • Beta-carotene controls
properties Vitamin A deficiencies
− Anti-carcinogenic • Fights childhood blindness
− Cardiovascular (Xerophthalmia)

30
 Quick Review

1. What are the agricultural advantages of

sweetpotato?
2. What are some of the health benefits of
sweetpotato?

31
 Key Points
• As Sub-Saharan Africa urbanizes, market-oriented
agriculture will continue to drive sweetpotato production.
• Sweetpotato contains many key nutrients and can be eaten
by consumers who cannot tolerate grains.
• The beta-carotene in orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties
(OFSP) is crucial to controlling Vitamin A deficiencies. Health
problems impacted by Vitamin A include dry eye, which
causes blindness and death in children.

32
 Unit 4

Why Promote Sweetpotato?

33
 Objectives
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
• Name the major demographics who are growers of
sweetpotato in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Explain how investing in sweetpotato programs can help
those impacted by poverty or malnutrition.
• List the opportunities for improvement in sweet potato
cultivation and utilization.
• Tell how gender issues and sweetpotato interact.
• Describe CIP’s strategies for improved sweetpotato
production and utilization.

34
 Sweetpotato and
Poverty
• One of most widely
grown root crops in
Sub-Saharan Africa
− Around 3.2 million
hectares
− Estimated production
of 13.4 million tons of
roots
• Investment will directly
benefit poor through
improved incomes and
nutritional status

35
 Sweetpotato and Malnutrition
Overlap between areas where sweetpotato is cultivated and
areas of human malnutrition.

Lib Gh Nig
eria ana eria Ethi
Ken opia
ya
Uga
nda
Ang
ola  

Tanz
Mozamania
bique

36
 Gender and Sweetpotato Production
• Sweetpotato typically grown by poor smallholder farmers,
particularly women.
• Gender issues contribute to low yields due to:
− Production resource constraints
− Limited access to
• Technologies
• Education
• Financial services
− Lack of decision-making powers
• As the crop becomes increasingly commercialized, need
strategies to ensure gender equitable commercialization.

37
 Gender and Sweetpotato Nutrition
• Women are nutritional decision-makers
• Programs focusing on women and sweetpotato can
improve:
− Child and maternal health
− Women’s income
− Household nutrition

38
 Opportunities for
Improvement
Major food plant in
Sub-Saharan Africa,
but there are
opportunities to
improve production
and utilisation
• Increase crop yields
• Introduce more
nutrient dense
cultivars

39
 Opportunities for
Improvement
CIP strategies for
sweetpotato
production and
utilization include:
• Genetic
enhancement
• Crop and seed
management
• Improving farming
• Targeting policies
and research

40
 Benefits of Improved Production
• Poverty reduction
• Income generation
• Food and nutrition security
• Sustainable ecosystems

41
 CIP and Sweetpotato
• Within SSA, CIP focuses on 17 countries which produce 95% of
sweetpotato.

42
 CIP’s Strategy
• Collect, Conserve and Characterize Sweetpotato Germplasm
• Add Value to That Germplasm Through Genetic
Enhancement and Crop Improvement
• Improve Productivity Through Crop Protection, Crop
Management and Better Seed
• Reduce Vulnerability in A Changing World Through
Sustainable Intensification of Sweetpotato Systems
• Strengthen the Positive and Reduce the Negative Impacts of
Food and Farming on Human Health
• Identify and Target Priorities and Provide Policy Relevant
Research
• Support Sweetpotato Sector Development

43
 Quick Review

1. As one of the most widely grown root crops

in Sub-Saharan Africa, about how much
ground is used to grow the crop?
2. What benefits could be seen by enhancing
sweetpotato production and utilisation in
Sub-Saharan Africa?
3. Why is a focus on women important to
household nutrition?

44
 Key Points
• Sweetpotato is already a major food plant in Sub-Saharan Africa,
but there are opportunities to improve crop yields and introduce
more nutrient dense cultivars.
• Sweetpotato cultivation areas overlap with human malnutrition
areas. This shows how improved production and utilisation to
create nutritional improvements.
• Improving sweetpotato production can reduce poverty, generate
cash flow, create less food insecurity, and protect ecosystems.
• Because women are nutritional decision-makers, programs that
focus on them can improve child and maternal health as well as
women’s income and household nutrition.
• CIP’s strategies for sweetpotato production and utilization include
genetic enhancement, crop and seed management, improving
farming, and targeting policies and research.

45
 Unit 5

What Are the Challenges to

Sweetpotato Production and
Utilisation?

46
 Objectives
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
• List the 5 major challenges to sweetpotato production and
utilization in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Describe those challenges and their implications.
• Tell why these challenges matter.
• List some solutions to the 5 challenges.

47
 5 Major Challenges
The five challenges to maximum production and utilisation of
sweetpotato in Sub-Saharan Africa are:
1. lack of access to “clean” planting material,
2. lack of improved varieties,
3. sweetpotato weevils,
4. lack of knowledge and poor practices, and
5. underdeveloped markets and potential products.

48
 Challenge 1: Planting Material
Challenges Solutions
• No access “clean” planting • Conservation techniques
material • Drought tolerant
− Disease
− Virus
• Triple S root sprouting
method
• Results
• Pest management
− Less yield
− Delayed planting • Results
− Pest virus reduction
− 30-60% yield gains

49
 Challenge 2: Varieties Specific to Region

Challenges Solutions
• Varieties not adapted local • Improved varieties
environment • Selective breeding
• Results • Results
− Smaller yield − 20% yield gains
− Lower micronutrients − Taste
− Higher micronutrients

50
 Challenge 3: Weevils
Challenges Solutions
• Prevalent pest • Management research
• Results • Results
− 60% to 100% loss − Food security
− Increase storage period

51
 Challenge 4: Knowledge and Agronomic
Practices
Challenges Solutions
• Insufficient knowledge • Improve
• Poor practices − Site
− Planting techniques
• Results
− Weed control
− Minimal yield
− Soil
• Results
− Yield gains 60%

52
 Challenge 5: Products and Markets
Challenges Solutions
• Root transport expensive • Market research
• Poor post-harvest care • Market chain efficiency
• Lack of market interest • Promote benefits
• Results • Results
− Income loss − Stimulate demand
− Short shelf-life − Income
− Health benefits

53
 Quick Review

1. What are some of the major challenges for

sweetpotato production and utilisation?
2. What are some of the solutions to those
challenges?

54
 Key Points
• The five challenges to maximum production and utilization
of sweetpotato in Sub-Saharan Africa are lack of access to
“clean” planting material, lack of improved varieties,
sweetpotato weevils, lack of knowledge and poor practices,
and underdeveloped markets and potential products.
• Solutions include new techniques, new varieties, pest
management, adoption of better practices, and promotion
of the benefits of sweetpotato to consumers.

55
 Unit 6

Advocating for Orange-

Fleshed Sweetpotato

56
 Objectives
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
• Explain why advocacy is needed.
• Define advocacy.
• Describe the difference between advocacy and promotion.
• Explain who can be an orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP)
advocate.
• Point to resources that people can use to learn how to do
advocacy.

57
 Why Advocacy is Needed
• Advocacy – effort based strategic information to influence
decision-makers and public on specific problem issue
• OFSP is relatively new to SSA
• Minimal knowledge
− Benefits
− Growing techniques
− Income
− Market
• Promotion – generally raising awareness

58
 Keys for
Advocating
• Increase investments
• Relevant stakeholders
− Government
− NGOs
− Private sector
− Donors
• Policy reform
• Goals
− Dissemination and
utilization OFSP
− Integrate
biofortification

59
 Activity (Breakout Groups)
Stakeholder Presentations
• Breakout into groups of 4-5
• Create a 2-minute presentation for different stakeholder
groups on the benefits of OFSP as a solution to vitamin A
insufficiency
− The different stakeholder groups could include an
international donor, a local NGO focusing on maternal and
child nutrition, and the government ministry of agriculture
• You have 10 minutes

60
 Advocacy
Resources
• Anyone can
advocate
− Individuals
− Organizations
− Media
• Reaching Agents of
Change Project
(RAC)
− Factsheets
− Videos
− PowerPoint
presentations
• Building Nutritious
Food Baskets
61
 Quick Review

1. How is advocacy different from promotion?

2. Why is advocacy needed to help the people
of Sub-Saharan Africa understand what
orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) is and
how can it be useful?

62
 Key Points
• Advocacy is needed to inform people how sweetpotato can
help fulfil their needs.
• OFSP advocacy means using information about sweetpotato
to influence the behaviour of consumers and policy makers.
• Advocacy for OFSP is a key tool in addressing vitamin A
deficiency.
• One of OFSP advocacy’s main foci should be increasing
investments by relevant stakeholders.

63
 Unit 7

Debunking the Myths

Around Sweetpotato: What
Are the Facts?

64
 Objectives
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
• Name 5 prevalent myths around sweetpotato.
• Tell why the 5 myths about sweetpotato are wrong.
• Explain the truth behind these 5 myths.

65
 Myth: Sweetpotato Causes Diabetes
Fact: Often recommended for diabetics
• Lower glycemic index
• Fat-burning

66
 Myth: OFSP Causes Male Infertility
Fact: Enhance sperm motility
• Prevents sluggish sperm
• No chromosomal abnormalities
• Whole family benefits

67
 Myth: OFSP Leaves Not Edible
Fact: Leaf highly nutritious
• High volume
− Nutrients
− Functional compounds
− Fibre
− Minerals
− Antioxidants
• Young leaves best

68
 Myth: OFSP Can Reverse Blindness
Fact: Cannot Reverse Blindness
• Vitamin A promotes good vision
• Prevents problems
• Once blind, cannot reverse

69
 Myth: OFSP is Genetically Modified
Fact: OFSP is not GMO
• Genetically
− Rich
− Diverse
− Different colors
• 5,000 varieties
− All naturally grown

70
 Quick Review

1. Why is sweetpotato actually a

recommended food for diabetics?
2. Does sweetpotato make men more or less
fertile?
3. Are sweetpotato leaves good for human
consumption?

71
 Key Points
• Sweetpotato may taste sweet, but it does not contribute to
diabetes. In fact, it is a lower glycemic (GI) food that can
help control diabetes.
• Sweet tasting foods do not affect male fertility. Sweetpotato
is actually good for fertility.
• Sweet potato leaves are edible and nutritious.
• The vitamin A in sweetpotato helps avoid nutritional
deficiencies that can lead to conditions that cause blindness,
night blindness, or other eye problems. However, it cannot
cure blindness.
• OSFP (orange-fleshed sweetpotato) is not a GMO, but due
to natural and cultivation selection, sweetpotato comes in
many varieties with different characteristics and benefits.

72