Introduction
The digital edition of the CIP sweetpotato catalogue builds upon the third edition of the sub-Saharan Africa sweetpotato catalogue published in 2019. Germplasm from the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region is included in this new global sweetpotato catalogue. Like the previous editions, the digital catalogue comprises: a) an update of the list of varieties to include the most recent and newly released varieties from different countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and LAC, and b) an up-to-date comprehensive look of improved sweetpotato varieties in SSA and LAC across digital platforms. Sweetpotato varieties of different flesh colours are presented. Most of the varieties are released in at least one country and are grown by farmers, while others are advanced clones about to be released. A good number of the varieties are important parents in breeding programs to improve levels of β-carotene, root dry matter, and resistance to sweetpotato virus disease in the world. Some of the varieties are landraces from African countries while others are introduced germplasm from the USA, South America, and Asia, and have been found to be adapted to environments in SSA or LAC. The catalogue is arranged in single pages of information and pictures for each of the varieties. Each page covers morphological characteristics, root attributes, and other major attributes as well as consumer and processing qualities of a single variety when that information is known. The International Potato Center (CIP) and its partners are breeding and promoting orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) as a food-based approach to combat vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and related health problems in SSA. Currently, about 48% of the children under five years of age in SSA suffer from VAD. As non-OFSP sweetpotato is already a part of many people’s diet, the transition to OFSP is just a marginal change. Our studies have shown that OFSP is highly acceptable to many rural African women, men, and children and that integrated agriculture-nutrition education campaigns can significantly reduce the prevalence of VAD among young children. This catalogue should serve as a handy reference, providing summary information on current important and popular sweetpotato varieties in SSA and LAC. The information will be relevant to different stakeholders, scientists, development practitioners/ extensionists, and donors. For information on how to obtain varieties, please use the contact form or contact information specified in this catalogue.
Acknowledgements
The production of the digital sweetpotato catalogue was accomplished with funding from the Sweetpotato Action for Security and Health in Africa (SASHA) project, the CGIAR Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB) Research Program and, more recently, the BMGF-funded SweetGAINS and RTB Breeding projects. We deeply appreciate the efforts of CIP’s Communication and Public Awareness Department (CPAD) and Information Technology Unit (ITU) in Lima, Peru, for important contributions on the development of the web interface and making the catalogue visually appealing.
How to Cite
Musembi, B., Low, J., Carey, E., Andrade, M, Makunde, G., Mwanga, R., Wanjala, B., Swanckaert, J., Some, K., Nihorimbere, G., Gurmu, F., Acheremu, K., Adofo, K., Dibi, K., Bruno, M., Ricardo, J., Nwankwo, M., Shumbusha, D., Barka, J., Laurie, S., Kulembeka, N., Yada, B., Chiona, M., Masamba, K., Bararyenya, A., Serenje, G., Afuape, S., Federico, D., Ndirigwe, J., Mekonnen, B., Kwendani, S., Ssali, R. and Gruneberg, W. (2024). [online] CIP SWEETPOTATO CATALOGUE. Available at: https:// sweetpotato-catalogue.cipotato.org [Accessed 1 Jul. 2024].