Although very popular in many countries, the sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is an underrated vegetable in South Africa. In the US South, its popularity supersedes that of the potato. There they refer to the sweet potato simply as ‘potato’, while the common potato is called ‘white potato’, distinguishing it from its yellow-fleshed cousin.
Although they are both share the name ‘potato’, these two vegetables are very different and should be marketed to consumers as such. One marked difference is that the leaves of the sweet potato plant are edible; they are prepared in the same way as spinach.
China currently produces more than 60% of the world’s sweet potato crop, followed by Malawi. I. batatas is a tuberous-rooted perennial of the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae), which is a weed in Africa. (The edible part is a storage root, rather than a tuber, which is a swollen underground stem. Nonetheless, sweet potatoes are commonly referred to as tubers.) The flowers of sweet potato resemble those of morning glory.
The sweet potato is a healthy vegetable, being rich in beta-carotene, manganese, vitamin B5 and vitamin B6, amongst other nutrients. It can also be used in a variety of dishes. These attributes help to create strong demand, making sweet potato viable for commercial production.
Because it requires fewer inputs and less labour than other staple crops, it is also an ideal crop for small-scale farmers.
CLIMATE REQUIREMENTS
Esta historia es de la edición November 25, 2022 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 25, 2022 de Farmer's Weekly.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Tasty, nutritious beans come in many forms
Beans originated in Central and South America and have been domesticated for thousands of years
Can privately owned One Loft Races revive pigeon racing in SA?
In this article, part one of a three-part series on pigeon racing, Thomas Smit looks at the sport's decline in South Africa, and whether One Loft Races, with their attractive cash prizes, can revive it.
Managing macadamia production when margins are low
Macadamia nut farms have been in dire straits over the past two seasons as prices have dropped and input costs have risen. With little relief on the horizon, orchard management needs to be revised to maintain sustainability. Lindi Botha looks at the options available to farmers to reduce their costs.
Lessons on the importance of general herd management
Louis Steyl, CEO of the Bonsmara Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the true value of effectively managing a Bonsmara herd in order to maximise profit.
Combating GBV scourge in rural communities
A ground-breaking programme is addressing gender-based violence in South Africa's rural communities and empowering young men to fight harmful stereotypes
The role of One Health in sustainable farming and well-being
A movement strengthening relationships between communities and the land and promoting a mutually beneficial relationship between agriculture, health and the environment is emerging in sustainable farming. Ntokozo Zitha, a PhD student in the Economics Analysis Unit at the Agricultural Research Council, writes.
Sustainable palm oil production in SA
Palm oil has been heavily criticised due to the unsustainable practices used in its cultivation. But this is beginning to change, says Jannie Myburgh, senior manager of trading oils procurement at SD Guthrie International SA. He spoke to Marinda Louw Coetzee.
Western Cape avocado production on the rise
Avocado production is booming in the Western Cape, and new insights into the industry were shared at a recent grower day
Top Western Cape young farmer enjoys a challenge
Dean Barnard, a farmer from George in the Western Cape, was recently named the Agri Western Cape Santam Young Farmer of the Year and will go on to represent the province at the Toyota SA/Agri SA Young Farmer of the Year competition later this year.
Guava association expects smaller 2024 harvest
The Guava Producers' Association (GPA) has adjusted its guava production estimate down from 25 200t to 22 500t, making the harvest 16% smaller than the 26 641t harvested last season and the smallest harvest in the past three years.