History Development and Impact of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato Varieties in Nigeria Since 2012 - A Review

^*1Nwankwo I.I.M., ¹Ikoro A.I., ¹Akinbo O.K., ¹Okeagu O.D., and ²Korieocha J.N.

¹National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, P.M.B 7006, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.

²Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Iyanomom, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author’s Contact Details: Email address ✉: nwankwomaxwell@yahoo.com, Phone No ☎: +2348063668433

Accepted December 19, 2019

The objective of the study was to review the history and development in the breeding of orange fleshed Sweet potato (OFSP) varieties in Umudike, Abia State in the Southeastern Nigeria. This was made in order to evaluate the impact of the orange fleshed sweet potato varieties since its official release in the year 2012 and 2013. It was observed that OFSP had made tremendous contributions in the field of agronomy, food science, commerce, health and in the economy of the country, Nigeria. The production, marketing and utilization of the OFSP have expanded to almost all the ecological zones within the past seven years starting from 2012 to 2019. For instance, over 400,000 hectares of lands are under OFSP cultivation. Yields of OFSP storage roots have increased from farmers’ pre-research era of about 3 tonnes to 20-30 tonnes per hectare. The total annual production of OFSP in Cross River, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Benue and Enugu States of Nigeria has increased from 47,580 to 95,596 tonnes in the years 2014 to 2018. Similarly, its consumption as food and in processed forms has increased tremendously in many States within the same period. The utilization of the roots as feed has increased from 340 to 11,520 tonnes while domestic sales increased from 33,550 to 90,970 tonnes. Traditionally, OFSP are used as boiled storage roots and eaten with stew, eaten raw or sliced and eaten as root salad, or grind and drink as juice. In addition, OFSP contributes significant amount of vitamins A, C, K and several B, vitamins. The leaves of OFSP varieties have good micronutrient contents such as iron and adequate protein (4%) for use as food and animal feed. OFSP is a good source of dietary fibre of about 2.5 to 3.3g/100gm and is classified as a low glycemic index food and therefore does not increase the risk of diabetics. Women in particular are making significant profit from selling fresh roots of orange fleshed sweet potato in local markets, and higher female income translates into better household nutrition and welfare. Bulk of the research activity now in sweet potato is toward OFSP. Thousands of research publications and research findings are now based on OFSP. OFSP storage roots are now being beckoned outside the country and is now included as article of international commerce. The historical record of the development of OFSP in Nigeria indicated that Sweet potato Research Programme of National Root Crops Research Institute Umudike, Umuahia Abia State located in Southeastern Nigeria is not resting or sleeping in carrying out its national mandate. The historical record of the development of OFSP also showed that, there is readily available and adequate literature on OFSP in Nigeria. The information could help the local authorities and policy makers take good decisions that would move the economy of the country forward.

Key words: Orange fleshed sweet potato, Official release, Impact, Vitamin A and welfare.

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