Ripple Africa distributes K12m potato vines to Nkhata Bay farmers

 Ripple Africa has distributed an improved variety of orange-fleshed sweet potato vines worth K12 million to farmers in Nkhata Bay to fight vitamin A deficiency and reduction of malnutrition among the households.

The initiative has reached out to about 1 300 farmers and on Wednesday farmers from Group Village Head Kankhongwe, Traditional Authority Mankhambira received their vines.

Ripple Africa country director Force Ngwira said malnutrition is a major problem in most households in the country and farmers cannot afford the vines needed to plant improved varieties; hence, the initiative.

He said: “The staple diet is nsima with little protein and very few vitamins. Locally grown white sweet potatoes contain fewer vitamins and farmers cannot afford to purchase the vines needed to plant improved varieties hence the roll out of the programme.”

Ngwira said the distribution of the improved yellow sweet potato will improve vitamin-A intake which is essential for human survival.

Nkhata Bay district agriculture extension worker in Sanga Section Wisely Wadewani said the improved variety also adapts to climate change, is disease resistant and provides high yields.

“We expect additional supplies of the improved sweet potato vines from Ripple the reach of the programme,” he said