From Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, CEOAFRICA.com gathered that Mozambique Agricultural Research Institute (IIAM) is currently developing new species of sweet potato that will contain better nutrition, improved drought resistance and higher yields than the types currently grown in the country.

Sweet Potato is the third most cultivated crop for small farmers in Mozambique after maize and cassava. It is grown by two million farmers for the roots and leaves.

Speaking regarding the development, IIAM’s Jose Ricardo said,” under the project financed by AGRA, we are looking at nine varieties of orange-freshed sweet potato that have better drought resistance and an increased yield of fifteen tonnes per hectare”.

IIAM has carried out research to improve yields over many years. In 2000, it introduced eight varieties of sweet potato. However, these only produced three tonnes per hectare.

Therefore, in 2005 more research was undertaken. This resulted in the release of eleven new varieties in 2011 with yields of eight tonnes per hectare.

Since then, IIAM has taken part in international research with AGRA and the International Potato Centre.

In conclusion, Ricardo said, “productivity in South Africa reaches yields of fifty tonnes per hectare, using fertilizers and irrigation.”