Improving Storability of Sweet Potato for Food Security

Abstract

Orange fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) varieties contain beta-carotene; a precursor of Vitamin A. Vitamin A helps in vision, skeletal formation and growth and gestation/placenta development. Solar drying of OFSP is emphasized as it protects OFSP from dust and pests and retains more beta-carotene. Most OFSP varieties have high water content. Processing OFSP into dried chips helps reduce the water content thus improving shelf life and eases transportation. A solar drier can be constructed from locally available materials. Where a solar drier is not available, drying under shade is encouraged to protect OFSP from direct sunlight which destroys beta-carotene.