SWEET POTATO FARMING IS VIABLE CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN ARID AND SEMI ARID AREAS

Introduction

Sweet potatoes may not be as sweet as the name suggest. Honey is definitely sweeter, however their climate resilience and nutrition qualifies the name. Grown in arid and semi-arid areas, sweet potatoes have proved to be a water efficient cover crop whose ability to withstand different weather condition makes them farmer’s choice. Despite low opinion on them by urban and youthful generation sweet potatoes provide food subsidies to hunger stricken rural communities in arid and semi arid areas

Methods of growing sweet potatoes 

1.     Kitchen garden

Sweet potatoes can be grown in gunny bags kitchen garden in areas with land and water challenges. In such areas gunny bag is filled with fertile soil to afifth (1/5) fill, then a tin opened on both sides id filled with stones and put at the middle of the gunny bag. Sweet potatoes vines are then planted and the gunny bag folded from outside. The tin is used for irrigation by filling it with water once per week and depending of water requirement due to prevailing climatic conditions. After a period of one month, the vines are held up, soil is refilled and tin pulled upwards, this increases the root structure which is responsible for sweet potatoes developed. The process continues till the gunny bag is full. By the time of the forth refill the first fill has sweet potatoes which can be harvested from the side of the gunny bag. This method provides continual sweet potatoes provision at household level in a vicious circle.

2.     Zai pit garden method

In zai pit method, a hole of different dimensions is dug and filled with various materials from the bottom to top. The bottom is filled with stones and sand while the second level is filled with dry organic matter. The top column where the sweet potatoes are to be grown is filled with fertile soil and then sweet potatoes are planted. Once they have been planted they are irrigated conveniently to form a canopy which spreads round. The vines are then dug to the ground to increase root structure and thus sweet potatoes production. This method is appropriate for very dry areas with minimal rain and every drop needs to be optimized

3.     Raised ridge Method

In a raised ridge method an elevation of soil structure is made to achieve a suitable site for planting the sweet potatoes vines. The ridges ensure that the soil is loosened and roots can easily penetrate. Once the ridges have been made the vine are grown and irrigated over time to form a covering canopy which reduces water requirement by big margin. During the harvesting time the ridges are harvested from sides to ensure they a maintained and can be replanted in future

Advantages of growing sweet potatoes

1.     They are highly adaptive to different weather conditions which reduces crop failure occurrences

2.     They are resistant to many pests and diseases and are not edible to livestock

3.     They are highly nutritious and convenient  for children, the sick and the elderly

4.     Require minimal labour because activities such as weeding are not a requirement for their farming

5.     Mature within record of short time and have high demand both in urban and rural areas hence providing the highly requirement incomes for rural households

6.     Through forming of soil cover canopy, they are able to ensure water efficiency via reduced evaporation

7.     They are not perishable and can be stored for future consumption

  Conclusion

 Through working with rural communities in arid and semi arid areas of the author has provided basic information through which communities have been able to plant and harvest big volumes of quality sweet potatoes. Such communities have gotten shield from advance effects of climate change. These methods have been tested and proved to work both in rural and urban areas where they provide efficient water and land utilization by households. With such information prevailing in rural communities, climate change menaces are likely to reduce significantly. For more information follow the link below

Article by

Andrew M. Nyamu

Project Coordinator- Coastal Livelihood and Environment Management

Plan International Kenya

www.andrewnyamuonline.blogspot.co.ke