India: Peru researchers to release new sweet potato

The Orisha state government has joined hands with Peru based Centro Internacional de la Papa (CIP), a root crop research centre, to promote cultivation of sweet potatoes in Odisha.

The CIP has developed an orange-fleshed variety of sweet potatoes, which can be cultivated in Koraput, Ganjam and Dhenkanal districts.

CIP, with the help of the agriculture department, is scheduled to launch a project that comes under the initiative of Odisha GAINS (generating advances in income and nutrition through sweet potato).

"We will simultaneously launch the orange-coloured sweet potato, which is naturally rich in pro-vitamin A," said Dr Sreekanth Attaluri, an expert of CIP (Bhubaneswar region). "The project aims to enhance sweet potato contribution to food, income and nutrition security, primarily among poor producers and consumers in Odisha," Attaluri said.

CIP has sought the state government's support for the next four years for sustainable production and utilization of sweet potatoes under the Odisha GAINS initiative.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com