In yesterday’s WPI Middle East, Mediterranean and Africa Regional analysis report, it was noted that Kenyan farmers are switching from growing maize to growing sweet potatoes. The latter being easier to grow than drought sensitive maize and netting three crops per year. But whether maize or sweet potatoes, rainfall is still necessary and FAO data shows that Kenya’s production of both crops had been declining.  Sweet potatoes can yield up to 10-times or more the weight per hectare, but both crops in Kenya have been relatively volatile.  There are also important nutritional tradeoffs. Where macronutrients are important, maize has a slight edge. And when looked at for micronutrients, the edge goes to sweet potatoes...

TAGS – Feed Grains, Softs, Middle East & Africa