Orange-fleshed sweet potato bread is our new product’

You are  introducing a lot of products in the market, using orange-fleshed sweet potato, can you  tell us about what  you have been working on? Being the president of the association, I use my company to research on a lot of value addition to my products. Presently, we can make flour, potato bread, potato juice […]

You are  introducing a lot of products in the market, using orange-fleshed sweet potato, can you  tell us about what  you have been working on?
Being the president of the association, I use my company to research on a lot of value addition to my products. Presently, we can make flour, potato bread, potato juice that you can add a little milk and which is very good for the body. The value chain is good and the processing of orange flesh potatoes is a milestone in the history of Nigeria.
We want people to come and engage in the farming of this product because government is saying there is no job; all they need to do is to provide enabling environment for people to continue with the products. This will be a great opportunity for people to get employed and earn a living.
We are concerned about the economic value and the Nigerian government should use the orange fleshed sweet potatoes to feed children in schools. We have been writing to them in that respect because nutrition is very good for children’s up-bringing. Any child that lacks good nutrition cannot learn well. What we are saying is that federal, state and local governments should include in school feeding the orange-fleshed sweet potato products.

Do you have enough of these products for those who want to key into the idea; how would they get the vines?
We are giving out vines to our members and that is one of the benefits they enjoy for being members. We also do feasibility studies and if such a person needs loan, we grant him the opportunity.

Do you have ready market for orange-fleshed sweet potatoes?
All you need to do is put your name and the location because we do data capturing for our members; if you want to start a farm and if the product is ready to be sold you will come to the association and we sell. A lot of people need the product as am talking to you now. In my organisation, we are buying it also for bread making and every week we know how many products we produce and very soon, we will get NAFDAC approval.

When did you introduce the orange-fleshed potato bread?
Precisely two months ago. The bread of orange fleshed potatoes contains a lot of vitamins needed for body metabolism and as I am taking to you here, the samples of the products brought for exhibition is finished.
I have taken it to the Ministry of Agriculture and they have certified it is so good.  The products are good for people suffering from eye disease because of its richness in beta carotene – a precursor for vitamin A. They now hardly go to hospital because orange fleshed potato products have taken care of that.
The products is also good for children, it helps them to develop their brain. And the elderly are not left out because it gives them strength.