This archive report was first published on 26 August 2021.
Uncommon Sweet Potatoes Thrive in Kilifi ¶
Charles Ongadi, a Nyakundi Report journalist, recently visited Tina Anderson's farm in Majengo, Kanamai, Kilifi County, where she grows a rare type of sweet potato.
These sweet potatoes are unlike any others found in the coastal region, with a yellowish color and a sweet potato-like shape. According to Tina, she received the seeds from a friend who brought them from India, and after conducting experiments, she found that they thrived in the black and well-drained soil of her farm.
Tina, who has been farming for two years, says that she was initially skeptical about growing this type of sweet potato but was convinced by the demand from her customers, particularly those with diabetes who are advised to avoid sugary foods.
Denis Ngumbao, a resident of Kanamai, Kilifi, has been a regular customer of Tina's farm and says that he has been advised by his doctor to avoid sugary foods. He has found the sweet potatoes to be a suitable alternative.
Tina emphasizes the importance of following proper farming practices and regulations to ensure the success of this type of sweet potato cultivation. She notes that the crop does well during the rainy season, as pests are less likely to infest the plants.
She also highlights the challenges faced by farmers during the dry season, when pests are more prevalent and require more pesticides, increasing costs.
Tina's farm has become a model for other farmers in the region, and she is now planning to expand her operations by adding another half-acre of land to her farm.
She advises other farmers to consider growing this type of sweet potato, which she believes has the potential to become a major crop in the country.
Figure 1: Tina Anderson harvesting sweet potatoes in her farm in Majengo, Kanamai, Kilifi County.
Tina sells her sweet potatoes at a price range of Sh150 to Sh160 per kilogram, depending on the market conditions.
