Climate Change and Seed Systems of Roots, Tubers and Bananas: The Cases of Potato in Kenya and Sweetpotato in Mozambique

Abstract

Root, tuber and banana (RTB) crops are key to food security, nutrition and income for approximately 300 million poor people in the humid tropics of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Climate change and limited access to quality seed due to underdeveloped seed systems pose challenges which could unravel the benefits of RTB crops. Here, we present measures taken to address these challenges based on two case studies in Kenya and Mozambique. The Mozambique case study analyses the introduction of drought-resistant orange-fleshed sweetpotato varieties to address household food security and nutrition insecurity while strengthening resilience to climatic shocks. The study in Kenya focusses on the development of seed systems to address the chronic shortage of quality potato seed, which has led to over 50% yield loss. Given the need for strict quality control to manage the high risk of seed degeneration in vegetatively propagated crops, developing seed systems that deliver climate-smart varieties requires a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure that the scientific, technical, socio-economic and gender aspects are considered to ensure sustainability of interventions.