The Sweet Potato Perception
In Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, Vitamin A deficiency contributes to high rates of blindness, immune system disorders, and premature death among children under five. The orange-fleshed sweet potato, a staple in the developed world and celebrated across the USA during holiday seasons, is an excellent source of Vitamin A and beta carotene.
In 2016 The World Food Prize was awarded to Drs. Andrade, Mwanga, Low and Bouis for their outstanding and extensive work in the biofortification of staple crops, most notably the orange-fleshed sweet potato. This work would serve to alleviate food insecurity in millions.
‘"At a time when malnutrition, stunting and early childhood death remain a scourge for millions on our planet, the four 2016 World Food Prize Laureates have uplifted the health and wellbeing of more than 10 million persons through the biofortication of staple crops, particularly the vitamin fortified orange-fleshed sweet potato," Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, President of the World Food Prize said. "They have truly fulfilled the dictum attributed to Hippocrates from almost 2,400 years ago - to "Let Food Be Thy Medicine."’
Maria Andrade of Mozambique and Robert Mwanga of Uganda have spent over 15 years encouraging African communities to swap white sweet potato for the healthier and vitamin-packed orange sweet potato. Working with the International Potato Center, they spearheaded a sophisticated campaign to change how people viewed the orange-fleshed tuber.
A rainbow of varieties
Part of the 15 year long project was to change perception of the vitamin-packed orange-fleshed sweet potato.
Sweet potatoes were first introduced to the African continent in the 1600s, and the white and yellow varieties became commonplace. Despite the orange variety being a superior source of Vitamin A and beta carotene, they are considered “a crop of the poor” according to Jan Low of the IPC. Thus, their challenge became one of education, public relations and perception for the orange sweet potato - the variety most familiar to Americans.
Sweet Potatoes - An instantly recognizable holiday staple in the USA!
Their efforts have certainly borne fruit (or vegetables). According to the World Food Prize, approximately two million households across ten African countries are planting or buying the fortified orange sweet potatoes. But of course, there is still plenty of work to do when it comes to this issue.
“We’re working with caregivers to empower them with knowledge to make good nutritional choices,” Jan Low emphasizes. “That doesn’t mean others shouldn’t be advocating for greater change on the policy side.”
Changing attitudes, policies and public perception can be a long and challenging process, but the results are certainly delicious, and nutritious.