The orange and purple-fleshed sweet potato varieties are very special when it comes to their nutritional content and health benefits. The orange flesh has varieties such as Sumaiya, vitaa, kabode, and kenspot, with the Sumaiya variety being different from the rest as it has low fiber content allowing it to produce better quality chips, crisps, or puree. The orange pigment in the orange-fleshed sweet potatoes is a characteristic of Beta Carotene, the nutrient found in carrots, a precursor for Vitamin A that is very important for eyesight. The purple pigment in the purple-fleshed sweet potatoes is a property of Anthocyanin, an antioxidant extremely important to the body and is known to prevent colon cancer.
Factors to consider
One of the factors the farmer has to consider if they want to get into sweet potato farming is the source and cost of buying the vines. It is important to acquire certified and clean vines, possibly 2-3 generations from the original KEPHIS-certified seedlings. Another important factor is water, especially at the beginning when the cutting is still very young and weak in the 1st – 2nd month of the establishment. Manure is very important because the more manure the healthier the vines and tubers will grow to be.
Health benefits
The orange and purple-fleshed sweet potato varieties are very special when it comes to their nutritional content and health benefits. The orange pigment in the orange fleshed sweet potatoes is a characteristic of Beta Carotene, the nutrient found in carrots, which is a precursor for Vitamin A very important for the eyesight. The purple pigment in the purple-fleshed sweet potatoes is a property of the Anthocyanin, an antioxidant extremely important to the body and is known to prevent colon cancer. The orange-fleshed sweet potatoes can be used to make chips, crisps, Indian Gathiya, or fortified to puree to make chapatis which are nutrient-dense. Sweet potatoes also contribute to sustainable agriculture and sustainable land management. This is because once they spread they provide a good floor cover that prevents loss of soil through erosion and helps in retaining soil moisture.
