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Discovering orange-fleshed sweet potatoes

The orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) is much more than a staple food in Africa. It offers hope for combating malnutrition and improving the health of populations, particularly children. This variety is rich in beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A essential for eye health and children's growth.

The benefits of the Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato go far beyond simple nutrition. Studies have shown that it reduces the prevalence and duration of diarrhoea in children, and that regular consumption reduces the risk of suffering from this disorder by 42%. In addition, it promotes good digestive health, helps manage type 2 diabetes and boosts the immune system.

In Burkina Faso, PDCO is crucial. It is the seventh most important food crop, with national production expected to reach around 100,000 tonnes in 2021. This crop is encouraged by the high number of malnourished children in the country. Every year, 104,000 Burkinabe children under the age of 5 die, and 39% are stunted due to chronic malnutrition. PDCO, with its rapid ripening in just 3 to 5 months, is an investment in better nutrition, more stable incomes and women's empowerment.

In its fight against food insecurity, CORAF promotes the bio-fortification of PDCO. Through programs such as TarsPro, CORAF is helping to provide Orange Flesh Sweet Potato to millions of households in West and Central Africa.

The PDCO, supported by CORAF, represents a nutritious and accessible solution for improving people's health. Its introduction into the daily diet can benefit everyone, especially children and pregnant or breast-feeding women.

The Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato is much more than a staple food. It is an invaluable resource for combating malnutrition, boosting people's health and contributing to sustainable development in Africa.