Abstract:
Use of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP) as a food-based approach has been suggested as an alternative option to combat vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in Uganda. The OFSP have high ß-carotene and are seen as a cheaper and complementary source of vitamin A for the rural poor families who are the most vulnerable to VAD in Uganda. The opportunity is that about 90% of the rural poor households in Uganda use sweetpotato as a staple or co-staple. However OFSP are not known to most of the communities. In this study, we used farmer managed trials as a way of screening and introducing OFSP varieties to communities in Uganda. The study has shown that Ejumula and SPK 004 are the most accepted OFSP varieties in Uganda. Good yields and appealing flesh colour were the reasons put forward for their acceptance by both adults and children.