Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato Launch

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement and their partners HarvestPlus, International Potato Centre with support from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Organisation, are delighted to invite you, valued stakeholder to attend a the Launch of the Vitamin A rich Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato Promotion, Production and Consumption in Zimbabwe on Thursday 15thApril from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon. Please join us on https://fao.zoom.us/j/92320010873 

Meeting ID: 923 2001 0873 

Passcode: 25907846

Consumption of biofortified foods are a form of nutrition sensitive agriculture approaches to combat hidden hunger. Micronutrient deficiencies in particular Vitamin A and Iron deficiencies are a problem of public health significance in Zimbabwe and contribute to child stunting, poor health and impaired development. Children with Vitamin A deficiency face 25% greater risk of dying from childhood diseases such as measles, malaria, or diarrhoea compared to those without VAD. Biofortified crops are bred to accumulate higher concentrations of specific micronutrients in their edible parts. A 125-gram orange fleshed sweet potato root can supply the daily vitamin A needs of a child 6- 59 months of age. 

We evaluated 6 varieties of orange fleshed sweet potato in the 2019/2020 agriculture season for their agronomic performance and preference of farmers. Join us on Thursday to hear more about the story. For more details, please find attached the concept note for the launch and a draft program.