White fleshed sweetpotato (
Ipomea batatus
) cultivars are an important staple and source of carbohydrates in Uganda. However, their orange fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) counterparts are less common. The OFSP varieties can offset Vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Increased consumption of the OFSP cultivars could contribute to alleviation of VAD a common problem in Uganda. Research was conducted on-farm in twenty parishes of Iganga and Kamuli districts of eastern Uganda to evaluate the agronomic performance, consumer acceptability, dry matter and beta carotene content of 4 OFSP cultivars. The OFSP cultivars gave lower yield than the local white fleshed cultivars. Beta carotene content was generally higher in OFSP cultivars than in white fleshed ones.
Ejumula, and SPK004 in Iganga, as well as kala in kamuli district gave more yield than the other orange fleshed cultivars. Children expressed preference for the OFSP compared to the white fleshed ones. Farmers who participated in on farm trials with OFSP cultivars continued to plant the OFSP cultivars after the trial indicating good potential for adoption. Farmer selection criteria were identified to include high yield, resistance to disease and pests, fast growth rate, good taste and nutritive value. Given the higher nutritional value, children's taste preference and willingness of farmers to grow OFSP cultivars, it is concluded that the production and distribution of planting material should be facilitated especially for cultivars
Ejumula,
Kala and SPK004.
