Weevil is a major threat to sweetpotato, which plays a vital role in food security and income generation for both the urban and rural poor in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Weevils can devastate sweetpotato production, and even cause total crop loss. Weevil resistant varieties are the most sustainable solution to this problem. They could potentially increase food production by 25% for populations threatened by malnutrition in SSA. In this brief, the benefits of weevil resistant sweetpotato varieties are described. Briefly, sweetpotato (SP) is a staple crop grown primarily by low-income earners, most of whom are women. SP is used as stand by in times of insufficient food, additionally; it’s a good source of carbohydrate and micronutrient. Biotechnology offers the potential to develop resistant varieties that could be rapidly adopted and contribute to food security and income for African population threatened by malnutrition. Other benefits of biotechnology include absence of negative impacts on human health or the environment.
Authors: Marc Ghislain, Marc Ghislain
Contributors: Hilda Munyua, Hilda Munyua
Pages: 2
Publisher: International Potato Center
Publication Date: 2011
Rights: Open access
Keywords: Biotechnology, SSA, sub-Saharan Africa, Weevil resistant varieties
HOW TO CITE
Ghislain, M. 2011. Benefits of weevil resistant sweetpotato varieties. International Potato Center (CIP).