For many farmers in Uganda, facing degraded or nutrient-deficient soils, sweet potatoes have become a dependable crop.
Unlike other root crops that demand rich, fertile land, sweet potatoes have a natural resilience and adaptability that makes them thrive even in less-than-ideal conditions.
Robert Ayo, a farmer from Janda in Luwero district, has spent the past seven years growing sweet potatoes.
He says the crop has been a blessing.
“When I started, my land was dry and poor in nutrients. I couldn’t afford fertilisers, but sweet potatoes still performed well. They don’t need much to survive. Once you prepare the land and get healthy vines, you are good to go,” he explains.
Henry Sekyewa, an agronomist says sweet potatoes are among the few crops that tolerate poor soils. They require little input and are drought-tolerant. With just basic weeding and proper spacing, farmers can get a good yield.
Sekyewa advises farmers to rotate sweet potatoes with legumes to maintain soil structure and control pests.
Gerald Kintu, a vendor in Matugga market, says sweet potatoes remain in high demand because they grow where others don’t.
“Even during long dry spells, we get supply from areas with poor soils. That keeps business flowing,” he notes.
Meanwhile, Irene Nalule grows sweet potatoes in swampy sections of her land. She says she still gets a good harvest.
“They are versatile. Whether it’s poor dry soil or slightly wet ground, they adapt easily,” she adds.
Sweet potatoes are not only feeding households but also becoming a reliable income source for thousands. With climate change and declining soil fertility in many parts of Uganda, this humble crop may hold the key to future food security.
