Profitabilities and Constraints to Sweet Potato Production in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria is one of the largest producers of sweet potato in sub-Saharan Africa with annual production estimated at 3.46 million tons per year. It is an important food security and early maturity crop that can be intercropped with some crops like yam and maize. Sweet potato can also be a mono crop based on the intentions of the farmer. In Nigeria, more than 85% of the sweet potato production is done by farmers who maintain small scale farming and carry out their operations manually with traditional farm tools. Despite the economic importance the crop, Nigeria is still at declining stage in spite of the various incentives by the government to boost massive production. Farmers’ output still falls below 60 percent and to arrest the condition, this paper recommended that; The means of production technology should be improved as well as other factors that support farmers output should be given adequate attention. The use of modern agricultural equipment to enhance mass production of sweet potato which could lead to export of sweet potatoes to other country should be encouraged. There is need to encourage more research work on the poor variety of seeds that is currently used by the farmers. The existing research centre established by the government for potato research such as National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike and potato research institute Jos should be strengthened to achieve their mandate. Farmers and processors of sweet potatoes need to be assisted with improved technologies and increased financial assistance to be able to acquire modern equipment for production, processing and marketing of potatoes.