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Precious Manomano, Agriculture Reporter
THE national sweet potato hectarage has surged from 10 413 last season to 20 108 this term, as the Government’s efforts to boost food security and economic resilience in rural communities intensify.
In 2021, the Government launched the Presidential Rural Development Programme under which communal farmers are provided free sweet potato vines for cultivation.
The Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) principal horticulture specialist, Ms Hilda Manditsvara, recently stressed the importance of the programme saying it was crucial for food security.
“The programme was initiated to enhance food and nutrition security, offer diversity in food crops and serve as a source of income for our farmers,” she explained.
Since its inception, 3 516 800 vines have been distributed under the initiative that targets to benefit 1,8 million households with each household getting 50 elite, virus-free vines.
Meanwhile, regional data available has since revealed varying levels of sweet potato planting this season. For example, Mashonaland East Province increased its hectarage to 4 155 from 1 327 last year with Masvingo recording 5 159 hectares up from 1 117 hectares.
Manicaland has, however, witnessed a decrease from 4 159 hectares last season to 3 475 this time around.
The Presidential Horticulture Recovery and Growth Plans (HRGP) aim to create a US$1,217 billion rural horticulture economy by 2025 with the long-term vision of growing it to US$3,5 billion by 2030.
This remarkable growth reflects the Government’s commitment to enhancing food security and boosting rural incomes through the promotion of this nutrient-dense and environmentally friendly crop.
The programme will help address malnutrition and improve economic prospects for farmers. It is projected to yield approximately 90 million tonnes of sweet potatoes by 2025, underscoring the growing popularity of the crop, as a vital food source and cash crop.
Sweet potatoes thrive in marginal conditions, requiring limited inputs while yielding up to 30 tonnes per hectare, making them an ideal crop for many farmers.
As adverse weather patterns linked to the El Niño phenomenon continue to challenge agricultural practices, sweet potatoes have emerged as a strategic crop, providing essential nutrients and sustaining the livelihoods of thousands of families in rural areas.
Traditionally dominated by white-fleshed varieties, there is now a growing interest in orange-fleshed sweet potatoes for export markets. To ensure sustainable production of the crop, the Government is training farmers on the importance of using pest and disease-free vines and adhering to good agronomic practices.
This commitment to agricultural education and support reflects the Government’s dedication to improving food security, addressing malnutrition, and fostering economic growth in rural communities through the cultivation of crops such as sweet potatoes.
Online Reporter