Orange‐fleshed sweetpotato production: Progress and perspectives for value chain development in West Africa

Abstract

Africa and Asia bear the greatest cases of vitamin A deficiency whereas Orange-Fleshed Sweetpotato (OFSP) as a possible solution to vitamin A deficiency, brings income, food and nutritional security for smallholders involved in its production. Reports indicated low adoption of OFSP in West Africa due to poor value chains and wide adoption of White-Fleshed Sweetpotato (WFSP). Here, we reviewed OFSP interventions and programmes undertaken in West Africa, identified constraints limiting OFSP production, and updated the required actions for OFSP value chains development in West Africa. We reported 10 significant interventions and 20 released OFSP varieties within 4 countries. The main bottlenecks to OFSP value chains development are the lack of improved cultivars exhibiting high and stable yield potential, predominance of WFSP, non-exposition of whole population to OFSP varieties, limited number of improved OFSP varieties available, and inadequacy of improved OFSP varieties to smallholder preferences. The roles of donors, research institutions, local partners, and smallholder's contributions in increasing OFSP production and consumption are provided. This will fuel the development of strong OFSP value chains in West Africa.

Farmers’ selection criteria for sweet potato varieties in Benin: An application of Best-Worst Scaling

“…The first important step to be considered in this system is the promotion of biofortified varieties through a breeding program or varietal introduction to meet the needs of farmers. Based on the above results, the development and diffusion of sweet potato varieties with big roots could significantly increase yield from the current average of 5.5 tons.ha -1 to about 40 tons.ha -1 (Otoboni et al, 2020;Sohindji et al, 2022). These varieties would mature in three months, compared to the 3.5 to 4 months required for local varieties (Low et al, 2009), and would be tolerant to both biotic and abiotic constraints (Mwanga et al, 2017).…”

“…, 2020; Sohindji et al. , 2022). These varieties would mature in three months, compared to the 3.5 to 4 months required for local varieties (Low et al.…”

“…, 2017a; Sohindji et al. , 2022). These varieties, however, contribute little to combating vitamin A deficiency diseases.…”

“…The landraces produced are generally dominated by white and yellow-fleshed varieties, having no or low levels of beta-carotene, respectively (Low et al, 2017a;Sohindji et al, 2022). These varieties, however, contribute little to combating vitamin A deficiency diseases.…”

Physicochemical compositions, nutritional and functional properties, and color qualities of sorghum–orange‐fleshed sweet potato composite flour

“…OFSP is a distinctive variety of sweet potato characterized by its distinct orange color and appealing sweet flavor. From a nutritional perspective, OFSP is ranked among the most nutritious crops due to its substantial vitamin A content (Sohindji et al, 2022). Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) serves as an underlying factor contributing to roughly 650,000 early childhood fatalities annually, stemming from conditions such as night blindness, increased susceptibility to infections, hindered cognitive development, respiratory infections, measles, malaria, and diarrhea (Berihun et al, 2023;Ezzati et al, 2004).…”