The project aims to contribute to food and nutrition security, and farm incomes of smallholder farmers in Zambia, through the multiplication, distribution and promotion of planting materials of improved sweet potato clones. The programmes seeks to develop and select high yielding clones that are virus tolerant and preferred by consumers and to improve the skills of farmers, research and extension staff and stakeholders in the production, seed multiplication and plant protection of sweetpotatoes. Among the main activities are multiplication of planting materials, establishment of the crossing blocks for making crosses and collecting seed, planting of replicated trials to ascertain tolerance of clones to virus diseases and conduct organoleptic tests for consumer preferences. Other activities are to set up demonstrations and conduct field days, train partners, varietal testing for release, prepare sweetpotato production and pest and disease leaflets. In addition, agronomic/cultural practices that enhance the performance of the genotypes are investigated and documented and promoted taking into consideration socio-economic situations of the people affected by the technologies.

  PROJECT LEADER: Martin Chiona MEMBERS: Justin Njobvu (Agronomy), Mary C. Mwewa (Postharvest), Chola Kanga (Technician), Stanley Mutuna (Technician), Gerald Serenje (Agronomy), Dr Able Chalwe (Breeding/Entomology), Kabaja Banda (Technician), Musanje Mudenda (Agronomy/Farming systems), Dr Patrick Chiza Chikoti (Pathology/Virology), Noah Manda (Agronomy)