daniel chigunwe
Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
Sweet potatoes are seen as one of the many crops that can boost farm incomes and provide extra food for Zimbabweans and so are part of a special programmes to boost production.
Since the launch of the Presidential Sweet Potato Programme in 2021, 3 516 800 sweet potato vines have been distributed with 1 040 000 vines last year.
This surge indicates the popularity of sweet potatoes as a vital food source and cash crop.
The initiative aims to benefit 1,8 million households by providing elite, virus-free sweet potato vines, with each household receiving 50 vines.
This ambitious effort could yield a staggering 90 million sweet potatoes this year.
Recently, Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) principal horticulture specialist Ms Hilda Manditsvara said the programme was critical in boosting food security.
“The programme was initiated to enhance food and nutrition status, offer diversity in food crops, and serve as a source of income for our farmers,” he said.
Farmers practicing rain-fed agriculture had to plant their sweet potatoes by March, while those with irrigation could extend their planting into the winter months, provided there are no frost challenges.
This flexibility is crucial, particularly in a climate where agricultural practices are often dictated by unpredictable weather patterns.
According to the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, in 2022, a total of 1 482 308 vines were distributed across eight rural provinces, followed by 944 750 vines in 2023 and 1 040 000 in 2024.
So far this year, 150 000 vines have been allocated to Manicaland, Midlands, and Masvingo, with each province receiving 50 000 vines.
Such numbers reflect a concerted effort to bolster national production and enhance food security across the country.
The Presidential Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plans (HRGP) aim to create a US$1,217 billion rural horticulture economy by this year, with a long-term vision of expanding to US$3,5 billion by 2030.
The increasing interest in sweet potatoes has spurred various research and development projects aimed at unlocking the crop’s full potential.
Sweet potatoes thrive even under marginal environmental conditions characterised by low rainfall and poor soil quality.
They grow quickly, covering the ground and thereby minimizing the need for weeding.
The country requires approximately 318 080 tonnes of sweet potatoes annually.
Sweet potatoes are an easy-to-farm venture that requires limited inputs and can yield up to 30 tonnes per hectare.
With adverse weather effects linked to the El Niño phenomenon, sweet potatoes have emerged as a strategic crop and an alternative source of essential nutrients.
The Presidential Rural Development Programme, launched in 2021, further supports communal farmers by providing sweet potato vines at no cost to encourage production. The scheme not only aims to achieve household food security and better nutrition but also seeks to enhance household incomes through local sales and export opportunities.
To promote sustainability, the Government is training farmers in the importance of using pest- and disease-free vines and adhering to good agronomic practices.
Traditionally, white-fleshed sweet potatoes have dominated local production; however, the focus is now shifting to enhance agricultural diversity.
As the Government continues to champion sweet potato cultivation, it reaffirms its commitment to improving food security, addressing malnutrition, and fostering economic growth in rural communities.
Online Reporter