By KT Reporter
Policymakers, researchers, and development leaders are calling for urgent and increased investment in climate-smart and nutrition-sensitive crops, particularly in the potato value chain, as a viable solution to Africa’s worsening food insecurity, malnutrition, and the growing impacts of climate change. This message emerged from the 2025 Africa Potato Association (APA) Conference currently underway in Kampala, Uganda.
The five-day meeting has attracted participants from 13 African countries and beyond. Held under the theme “Fostering Climate-Smart Cropping Systems for Sustainable Potato Value Chains,” the conference emphasizes innovation, policy reform, and regional collaboration as keys to unlocking the full potential of potato and sweet potato crops in building resilient food systems.
Participants stressed that the urgency to invest in this sector has never been greater. “Sweet potato is now Uganda’s third most important crop after cassava and bananas, and its value is more than just caloric,” said Uganda’s Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, in his opening address. “This crop plays a critical role in nutrition, food security, and income generation. We must integrate it into national development plans as a strategic commodity.”
Uganda currently produces over 1.8 million metric tons of sweet potato and more than 162,000 metric tons of Irish potato annually. Yet paradoxically, the country still imports over 30,000 metric tons of potatoes while exporting 55,000 metric tons regionally—an imbalance that underscores gaps in productivity, value addition, and regional market integration.
Tumwebaze emphasized that increasing investment in value chain development, particularly in decentralized seed systems, agro-processing infrastructure, and agribusiness, is essential. “We must support farmers with high-quality planting material, better agronomic practices, and market linkages to turn production gains into prosperity,” he said.
Marcus Prior, Uganda Country Director for the World Food Program (WFP), highlighted the transformational impact of the orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) in Karamoja, a region often affected by food insecurity. “For too long, humanitarian assistance in Karamoja has focused on plugging gaps,” said Prior.
“But now, with climate-smart and nutrition-sensitive agriculture, we are building sustainable food systems that nourish and empower communities to be resilient and endure.” Since 2022, WFP, in partnership with the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO) and Andre Foods International (AFI), has been scaling up OFSP production across nine districts in Karamoja.
The region faces high levels of food insecurity and vitamin A deficiency. OFSP, rich in beta-carotene, is fast-growing and drought-tolerant, making it ideal for Karamoja’s fragile environment. “The orange-fleshed sweet potato is more than just a crop,” Prior emphasized. “It is a tool for nutrition-sensitive agriculture. Just 125 grams can meet a child’s daily vitamin A requirement.
It’s also easily integrated into school feeding programs, livestock feed, and value-added products.” According to Prior, the program has established five seed multiplication centers, distributed 250 bags of clean planting materials, and planted over 2,100 acres. Nearly 8,500 farmers—many of them women—have been trained in OFSP production, post-harvest handling, and utilization.
The crop is also integrated into 80 school gardens, linking child nutrition with agricultural education. An impact study conducted in 2024 revealed that 85% of participating households now grow OFSP and report improved dietary diversity. Even more significantly, 90% of households that previously experienced seasonal hunger reported using sweet potato harvests, especially when paired with legumes like beans, to bridge food gaps.
“What we’re seeing in Karamoja is a model of transformation,” said Prior. “Local investment, integrated interventions, and strong partnerships are delivering tangible results. But to move from nutrition to resilience, we must scale and sustain these efforts. That requires funding, coordination, and long-term vision.” Yonah Baguma, Executive Director of NARO, urged the region to view climate-smart crops not merely as technical fixes, but as part of a broader agricultural transformation.
“We need to reframe food systems as a means to drive inclusive growth, youth employment, and climate adaptation,” he said. “That starts with stronger research systems, farmer training, and support for agribusiness innovation.” Yergalem Taages Beraki, interim country representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Uganda, reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to working with governments and research institutions to strengthen seed systems, promote climate-resilient practices, and scale up nutrition-sensitive farming.
“Potatoes and sweet potatoes are proving to be pillars of food security, income generation, and climate adaptation,” Beraki said. “We urge greater investment in agroecological solutions and inclusive value chains to ensure no one is left behind.” Betty Muwuma, a potato farmer from Kamuli, called for funding to support smallholder farmers, especially in irrigation.
“We lack irrigation machines. During the sunny season, which is when we plant vines, we struggle,” she explained. “For me, it is very expensive to irrigate by hand, take children to school, and pay for transport.”-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
