Introdução de variedade de batata doce biofortificada na feira livre do município de Cruz das Almas, BA

Abstract

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam.)) is a tuber crop native to Central and South Americas, cultivated in 11 countries. It is a very healthy source of carbohydrates, rich in vitamins A and C, manganese, copper, fiber and beta-carotene, with benefits for diet, hence highly appreciated by Brazilians. There are several varieties, and the ‘Beauregard’ sweet potato has an orangish or carrot orange color with a milder taste than white-fleshed potatoes, due to the large quantity of beta-carotene, showing ten times more provitamin-A carotenoids (115 mg/100 g of roots) than its main competitors. The present study started in 2014 in Cuiabá-MT with the purchase of two seed tubers, which were multiplied and began to be distributed in 2015 to family farmers in the free market of the municipality of Cruz das Almas, BA. Currently, this new variety has become a reality in the increase of production and planted area, with undoubted preference of consumers, which reinforces the food and nutrition security of family farmers and consumers.