Assessment of seed system interventions for biofortified orange‐fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) in Malawi

Abstract

The International Potato Center (CIP) has collaboratively implemented various demand‐pull and supply‐push interventions since 2006 to develop the seed system for biofortified orange‐fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) (Ipomoea batatas) varieties in Malawi. Consequently, the adoption of OFSP varieties has increased to 30%. Nevertheless, the actual adoption rates, the contribution of these interventions to the seed system development, and the extent to which the current policy and regulatory environment facilitated or impeded the availability and access to quality planting materials by smallholder farmers are not well understood. This study explored these critical issues using desk reviews and qualitative information with OFSP subsector stakeholders. The results reveal that most of the critical nodes of the OFSP seed system are underdeveloped. However, CIP backstopping interventions to the national research systems contributed significantly to building Malawi's capacity for producing clean early‐generation seed materials. In addition, CIP has played a critical role in developing the community‐level capacity to produce and disseminate clean vines through the introduction of decentralized vine multipliers and commercial vine multipliers. The study recommends integrating formal and informal seed systems for vegetatively propagated crops to improve access to quality planting materials by farmers. Second, government and development partners (CGIAR centers, Nongovernmental Organization) should progressively promote/create demand for OFSPs among consumers because of the strong association between the biofortified OFSP varieties and nutrition. Lastly, there is need for government and development partners to establish and increase OFSP interventions in the Northern and Central regions of Malawi.

Progress toward impact at scale of orange‐fleshed sweetpotato in Ghana

“…This could be a significant explanation for Nyirenda et al. (2023) and Kaphaika et al. (2023) who claimed no adoption in northern Malawi and Dedza due to the lack of the availability of OFSP planting materials.…”

“…In Malawi, Nyirenda et al. (2023) and Kaphaika et al. (2023) recognized the low adoption of OFSP in central and northern Malawi due to the unavailability of OFSP planting materials for farmers.…”

“…In Malawi, Nyirenda et al (2023) and Kaphaika et al ( 2023) recognized the low adoption of OFSP in central and northern Malawi due to the unavailability of OFSP planting materials for farmers. As was planned through the project development goals, the intensive works have likely focused on southern Malawi and Dedza, a small part of central Malawi.…”

“…All the development efforts being programmed earlier are for nothing; they are gone and diminished. As Nyirenda et al (2023) argued for Malawi, the current policy and regulatory environment that facilitated the availability and access to quality planting materials are not well understood by smallholder farmers. Consequently, the farmers could not find planting materials easily in central and northern Malawi.…”

Harnessing potato and sweetpotato innovations for resilient and healthier agri‐food systems in Africa

“…In “Assessment of seed system interventions for biofortified orange fleshed sweetpotato in Malawi,” Nyirenda et al. (2024) review efforts to develop the seed system for biofortified orange‐fleshed sweetpotato from 2006 through 2021 and make the case for enhanced integration of formal and informal seed systems to improve farmer access to sweetpotato seed and more emphasis on demand creation programs highlighting the nutritional benefits of biofortified sweetpotato.…”