NARO Launches Antioxidant-Rich Purple Sweet Potato Variety

What the report says

The National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) has introduced a purple sweet potato variety in Uganda that researchers say is rich in vitamins A and C and contains anthocyanins, the natural pigments linked to antioxidant activity. The launch took place on Friday at the Mbarara Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MBAZARDI) during World Food Day celebrations and a ceremony marking 100 years of agricultural research.

Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze launched the crop and framed it as part of wider efforts to improve household nutrition, support public health and raise farm incomes. The event also brought together regional leaders, researchers and smallholder farmers, reflecting government and research efforts to promote improved and climate-resilient crops. Tumwebaze urged continued innovation aimed at practical community needs and said nutrient-rich crops can help address malnutrition.

A NARO plant breeder, Dr Martin Ameu, said the variety was developed for nutritional value, yield potential and resilience in difficult climate conditions. He added that disease-free planting vines are being prepared for distribution to farmers through MBAZARDI and district agricultural extension workers, with availability planned from March 2027. That rollout is meant to help spread adoption of the new variety among farmers.

The launch matters because Uganda continues to look for crops that can strengthen food security and diversify diets. As reported by Nile Post, the sweet potato’s nutritional profile may make it a useful addition to local farming systems, though any wider health claims should be understood in the context of general nutrition rather than as medical treatment.