Eco-Entrepreneurs | Kenya, Africa

Sweet potatoes are said to have originated from Central and Southern America according to historical records of A.D. 1000. The Portuguese are said to have brought the white and yellow varieties to Africa. In East Africa, the crop was introduced by the British in the 1880s, but has grown in importance over the last three decades. For centuries, this crop has been grown by both large and small scale farmers. It is a staple in some countries like Uganda and Mozambique and a seasonal food deficiency bridging crop in Kenya.

It is a versatile, drought tolerant crop that has been considered suitable in response to changing climatic conditions. Its cultural identity as a “woman’s crop among some African cultures creates huge opportunity for its commercialization through women’s’ economic empowerment initiatives.

The world has been on a spin since February 2020 because of the emergence of COVID-19. This has amplified fears on human survival that was already heated by threats posed by climate change. All global efforts are rightfully focussed on controlling the spread and human suffering occasioned by COVID-19. However, the need to plan and urgently execute measures to ensure food and nutrition security after CODIV-19 is successfully tackled is necessary. This is particularly so for sub-Sahara Africa and especially to cushion low income communities.

The Ecoentreneurs has devised a strategy to intensify growing of varieties of Sweet potatoes that will meet the nutritional needs of different types of customers. The range includes a large percentage of children in the age 6 to 59 months classified to be acutely deficient of vitamin A in Sub-Sahara Africa, diabetic patients, the elderly and the general consumers. There are over 20 varieties that have been researched and introduced for growing by farmers in Kenya. The Orange Flesh Sweet Potato (OFSP) is the focus crop promoted by ECOE. This is because it matures fast and a variety of products can be made from it. Some of the products are shown in section five.

Our objective is to organize the value chain such that food safety and reliable supplies is guaranteed through a strong partnership between growers, aggregators and end of the value chain consumers. We intend to ensure minimal human contact during processing as part of food safety protocol.

Since April 2019, ECOE has promoted the growing of Sweet potatoes in leased farmers and in its farm practice demonstration farm to over 200 farmers in Migori County. Marketing of produce ahs continued. Major challenges identified include:

Apart from raw tubers, a variety of products can be developed to with niche-based market fit.
Some are shown in the pictures below:

We target impacts from economic, social and environmental sustainable angles.
Economic incomes from tubers, puree, “Mandazi”, and crisps all having a market fit for different clients while creating multiple jobs.

Sweet potato is a good cover crop. Once established, it can reduce soil erosion in sloppy landscapes. Moreover, it is a drought tolerant crop and can enable adaptation to climate change.

It is a crop whose value chain can create inclusive employment opportunities because difference tasks in the production to marketing tend to have ascribed gender based roles and responsibilities.

Orange Flesh Sweet Potatoes: Measures to Ensure Food and Nutrition Security after CODIV-19

2020 | Migori, Kenya