MOZAMBIQUE – The Mozambique Institute of Agricultural Research (IIAM) has launched a significant initiative to enhance sweet potato cultivation in Moamba district, Maputo province.
This effort is part of a broader strategy to increase productivity and strengthen food security in the country.
IIAM provided training to over 100 local farmers, focusing on the cultivation of improved orange and purple-fleshed sweet potato varieties.
The training, conducted at the Umbelúzi Agricultural Station, aimed to introduce modern farming techniques and better varieties of this crucial crop.
Milton Tovele, an IIAM researcher, emphasized the importance of these new technologies. “The training was designed to spread knowledge about advanced farming practices and to introduce varieties that can boost food security,” Tovele said.
He noted that sweet potatoes are vital for nutrition, particularly in developing regions.
Farmers learned various aspects of sweet potato cultivation, including selecting and preparing vines, managing soil, irrigation practices, and post-harvest handling. Tovele explained that proper vine selection and planting techniques are critical.
“After choosing the vines, they should be cut into seedlings with three or more nodes, each about 30 to 40 centimeters long,” he advised.
He also highlighted the common mistake of planting multiple vines in one hole, which can lead to nutrient competition. “Each seed should be planted in its own hole, spaced 30 centimeters apart,” he added.
Watering practices were another key focus. Tovele noted that sweet potatoes need more water during early growth stages and tuber formation. However, excessive watering near harvest time can affect flavor and increase spoilage risk.
“Farmers need to adjust watering to avoid excess moisture that could lead to post-harvest issues,” he explained.
The training covered pest and disease management, though Tovele pointed out that sweet potatoes generally face fewer problems compared to other crops like corn.
“Sweet potatoes have a relatively short production cycle, with vines usually germinating in a week. Varieties may take between 90 to 120 days to mature, and it’s important to respect these timelines to ensure high quality,” he said.
Sweet potatoes hold significant value in Mozambique, ranking as the third most important food crop after maize and cassava. In 2012, the country produced over 900,000 tons of sweet potatoes on around 120,000 hectares.
The introduction of high-yielding, β-carotene-rich, orange-fleshed varieties aims to further enhance food security and nutritional quality in the region.
This training initiative is a step towards improving agricultural practices and ensuring a more stable food supply in Mozambique.
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