Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia in Bangladesh

(‘CSISA-BD‘)

Md. Monower HossainCSISA_WorldFish, Faridpur, Bangladesh

Workshop on

“Promotion of Orange-Fleshed

Sweet Potato and Nutrient

Rich Vegetables for

Improving Nutrition in

Aquatic-Agricultural and

Rice Base Systems”

Date: 4-5 April 2013

A Presentation on Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato

on behalf of

Latifa Begum

1

WELCOMEWELCOME

Who is Latifa?

Latifa Begum lives in Monohorpur village at Nagarkanda

Upazila Under Faridpur District. Her family consists of 8

members (Old Husband, Son, daughter, daughter in law

and three grand children). Though her son is the main

income earning member of the family but she contributes

through some income generating activities like vegetables

production & poultry rearing and plays as household head.

Know how about OFSP

Previously she was not aware about usefulness of

orange fleshed sweet potato. But when CSISA

WorldFish arranged two days long basic training at

6-7 November 2012 on “Household based pond

aquaculture, horticulture on dyke and nutritional

awareness”, me and other 24 participants learned

about the importance of orange fleshed sweet

potato and interested to cultivate this sweet potato.

OFSP vine received and cultivation

After getting assurance of OFSP vine from WorldFish, Faridpur Hub, she prepared one decimal land in her homestead. She received 240 OFSP vines of three varieties (BARI SP 4, 7 & 8) and planted it in her land at 13 November 2012 in accordance with proper guidelines from HDO. She with her other family members together have taken care this sweet potato during cultivation.

Vines distribution among HH beneficiaries at Monohorpur village

Picture of earthing up and leaf collection

Earhing-up by Latifa OFSP leave collected by Latifa & her grand child

Harvesting & Yield

She has harvested 63 kg roots at end of March 2013 and 7 kg leaves in several times from this plot. She did not get yield in accordance her expectation because of attacking by rats. She thinks, yield will be doubled if it was not attacked by rats. Roots harvested by Latifa

Other picture of harvesting

Latifa collecting OFSP roots Harvested OFSP roots

Consumption, distribution and Sale

• She with her family members consumed 24 kg

of roots and 7 kg leaves

• Distributed 17 kg among relatives (brothers,

grand child ) and neighbors.

• Sold 20 kg to WorldFish office, 2 kg to

neighbors’ and got total Tk. 660 @Tk 30/kg.

Types of Meal Consumed

Several times she has

consumed OFSP leaves

as Fry, Curry with fish &

mash and OFSP roots

as boiled, burned &

cake/pitha.

Different types of meal prepared by Latifa and other Women

OFSP leaves evaluation

Response from neighbor

Many relatives and neighbors are interested to

cultivate OFSP. Some of them demanded OFSP

vines from her. Already 2 neighbors and 2

relatives received vines from her for next year

cultivation.

Challenges

• Attacked by rats

(about one half loss

of total production)

• Local theft

• Affected by goats

and cowsRoots attacked by rats

Future Plan

She is happy to cultivate OFSP. She wants to

expand OFSP cultivation as well as distribute it in

next year specially BARI SP4 & BARI SP8 variety

to meet up nutritional requirement and increasing

income. For this, she has preserved OFSP vines

at her homestead area.

qw

Thanks to All