Sweet Potato, scientifically known as (Ipomoea batatasL.) originated in Central America, is a plant grown for its tuber roots that can be found and grown in many tropical and subtropical countries in different ecological regions in present time. Sweet potato tubers are a staple food or an alternative food in many countries, especially here in the Philippines, and part of its production is used for animal feeding. Its plant is a branching, creeping vine that can reach 4m (13ft) in length with spirally arranged lobed, heart-shaped leaves, and white or lavender flowers. The sweet potato plant has enlarged roots called tubers which act as an energy store for the plant and can be variable in shape and color (red, yellow, brown, white, and purple). Although the leaves and shoots are also edible and are widely consumed as vegetables, the starchy tuberous roots are by far the most important product. Sweet potatoes are high in the following: beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin B6, and vitamin C; fiber, thiamine, niacin, potassium, and copper. They are also a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamin E and are rich in dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins, and bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids and anthocyanins, which also contribute to the color of the flesh. Sweet potatoes offer the lowest glycemic index rating since sweet potato digests slowly, causing a gradual rise in blood sugar. With their low carbohydrate content and high fiber content, sweet potatoes keep one full for longer while giving all the essential nutrients.
Sweet potato is considered as an "insurance crop" as it can be grown even under suitable climatic conditions and complete crop loss under adverse climatic conditions. The crop is the seventh-largest food crop, grown in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions in the world and is particularly important in Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Latin America regions and China as it records a total of 90% world production. Sweet potatoes are considered as a typical food security crop for disadvantaged populations as the crop can be harvested little by little over a long period. In the Philippines, sweet potato production went down from 541.26 thousand mt in 2010 to 519.86 thousand mt in 2014 at an average annual rate of 1.0 percent. Leyte remained the top producer of sweet potato at 49.24 thousand mt output in 2014 and was followed by Camarines Sur with 40.62 thousand mt and Albay with 33.58 thousand mt. Albay shared 6.46% percent of the national total production of sweet potato as of 2014. For the second quarter of 2020, the production of sweet potato rose to 157.47 thousand metrics or by 4.9 percent, from 150.09 thousand metric tons in the same quarter of 2019. Bicol Region registered the biggest production of 45.76 thousand metric tons or 29.1 percent of the total production this quarter. The other major producing regions were Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas with respective shares of 21.2 percent and 14.3 percent. (FAO, 2020)It is ranked fifth economically after rice, wheat, maize, and cassava; sixth in dry matter production; seventh in energy production and ninth in protein production in the world, and is considered as one of the important crops in the Philippines.
References:
https://psa.gov.ph/vegetable-root-crops-main/sweet-potato
https://media.neliti.com/media/publications/141091-ID-physical-properties-of-sweet-potato-nati.pdf
hey there fam, sharing my insights and research work about sweet potato. Hope you can learn something from it. Enjoy! Dont forget to like, comment and subscribe.
