Orange-Fleshed Potato: Insights on Boosting Health and Economy

Welcome to our special feature on orange-fleshed sweet potato in Nigeria. Today, we’re joined by Adebisi Opeyemi Aminat, a leading expert in agricultural innovation and nutrition. With extensive experience in sustainable farming and a passion for enhancing food security, Opeyemi will shed light on the transformative potential of orange-fleshed sweet potato in boosting both health and economy across Nigeria. Stay tuned as we delve into this exciting topic!

Agricincome: Can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to get involved in agriculture, specifically in the processing of orange-fleshed sweet potatoes in Nigeria?

Adebisi Opeyemi Aminat: I am a graduate of Crop Improvement and Genetics at Olabisi Onabanjo University, currently on my Master’s program studying Plant Genetics at University of Ibadan and a graduate research intern at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, IITA. I am a volunteer to community development projects for non governmental organizations contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals. As an inquisitive person seeing statistics on biofortification and deficiency of micronutrients. I got the opportunity to read a journal on biofortification by HarvestPlus. The curiosity to learn more prompted me to IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture) for my NYSC year and this burning passion took me to CATO foods, one of the leading companies improving biofortified crops to address micro nutrients deficiency in Nigeria for this continuous learning. I was motivated to embark on the journey of transforming biofortified Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) into nutritious foods which will create economic value and serve as a response to vitamin A deficiency (VAD).

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Agricincome: Your involvement in Nigerian agriculture as a young woman is highly commendable. What is the driving force behind this passion for agriculture?
Adebisi Opeyemi Aminat: I believe that food has the ability to change people’s lives and community is the source of my enthusiasm for agriculture. Given an agricultural course in my undergraduate and joining International Association of Students in Agriculture and Related Sciences (IAAS) in my campus made me experienced the difficulties of food instability and malnutrition within the environment. This inspired me to work in agriculture, especially developing creative and long lasting solutions to these urgent problems. I want to fight vitamin A deficiency and promote general health by offering wholesome, reasonably priced, and easily available food options with our Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato foods through PEMNIA WELLNESS. My motivation stems from my wish to positively influence my community’s quality of life and encourage other young ladies to consider agriculture as a means for positive change.
Agricincome: How many products can be made from orange-fleshed sweet potatoes? Can you name the products you make from orange-fleshed sweet potatoes and describe their uniqueness
Adebisi Opeyemi Aminat: Well there are a lot depending on the solution you want to provide but I focus on four for now.
Vita Flour: A nutritious flour made from 100% orange fleshed sweet potatoes. It is rich in Vitamin A, gluten free, and can be used in a variety of recipes, including pancakes, bread, and pastries, making it an excellent alternative to traditional flours for health conscious consumers
Vita Meal: It combines the nutritional benefits of OFSP with the ease of preparation, providing a healthier option for staple meals. It is fermented to enhance its nutritional profile and digestibility.
Vita Garri: Vita Garri is a variant of the traditional Nigerian garri made from OFSP. It offers the familiar taste and texture of garri but with added health benefits, particularly its high Vitamin A content, which is essential for good vision and immune function.
Vita Crisps: Vita Crisps are delicious, crunchy snacks made from OFSP. These crisps are a healthier alternative to conventional potato chips, providing a good source of Vitamin A and fiber, making them an ideal snack for both children and adults.

Agricincome: What challenges have you faced in the food processing industry, and how have you overcome them?
Adebisi Opeyemi Aminat: Securing a consistent and reliable supply of orange fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP) has been a significant challenge due to seasonal variations and limited availability from local farmers. We have established strategic partnerships with local farmers, working on providing them with training and resources to cultivate OFSP more efficiently to ensure a steady supply of high quality OFSP tubers year round. Market acceptance and introducing our OFSP products to a market accustomed to traditional staples is a challenge but we have conducted extensive consumer education and awareness campaigns highlighting the health benefits of OFSP. Our marketing strategies include product sampling, partnerships with health and food influencers, and participation in food fairs and exhibitions.
Agricincome: How do you see the market demand for orange-fleshed sweet potatoes evolving, and what opportunities do you think it presents for young people in agriculture?
Adebisi Opeyemi Aminat: Orange fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP) are seeing a positive increase in market demand. Customers are becoming aware of the health advantages of OFSP, especially its high vitamin A concentration and are actively searching out for these tubers. Young entrepreneurs can capitalize on this trend by promoting OFSP as a superfood and developing innovative, health focused products. Young people can venture into processing and packaging these products, tapping into niche markets such as gluten free and health food segments. The global demand for nutritious foods is expanding, when they meet international standards and certifications, young agricultural entrepreneurs can explore export opportunities, opening new markets and increasing revenue streams.
Agricincome: What impact do you hope to make in the agriculture and food processing industry through your work?
Adebisi Opeyemi Aminat: With PEMNIA WELLNESS, we want to address vitamin A deficiency and other nutritional gaps in the population, especially among children and vulnerable groups, through our nutritious foods made from orange fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP) by enhancing public health and reduced prevalence of vitamin A deficiency related conditions. Support local farmers by providing them with a reliable market for OFSP and promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices thereby increasing incomes for farmers, sustainable agricultural practices, and a strengthened local agricultural economy. Also to increase availability of nutritious foods, reduce food waste, and more efficient food supply chains.
Agricincome: What advice would you give to other young people interested in agriculture and food processing?
Adebisi Opeyemi Aminat: It is important to conduct thorough market research to understand consumer needs and preferences which will help you develop products that meet market demand and stand out from the competition. Agriculture and food processing can be challenging industries with many ups and downs. Stay resilient, be patient, and remain committed to your goals even when faced with obstacles. Find mentors who can guide you through the complexities of the industry. Experienced mentors can offer invaluable advice, share their experiences, and help you avoid common pitfalls. It is very important to ensure that your products are of the highest quality which will help you build trust with consumers and help establish a strong, reputable brand in the market.
Agricincome: From your perspective, how do you think more youths can be involved in food production especially in complementing food production to meet the ever-increasing insatiable demand for food?
Adebisi Opeyemi Aminat: Youths can be involved more in food production when they are introduced with agricultural education in schools to create early awareness and interest, organize workshops, seminars, farm visits to showcase the potential and opportunities in food production. It is important to provide youths with access to land, financing, and necessary inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and equipment. Government programs, NGOs, and private sector initiatives can play a significant role in facilitating this access.
Agricincome: What are the measures that you think should be in place, to reduce food scarcity in Nigeria?
Adebisi Opeyemi Aminat: Advocate for sustainable agricultural practices that preserve the environment and ensure long term food production such as organic farming and agroforestry. We should invest in post harvest technologies and infrastructure such as cold storage, drying facilities, and create processing state hubs for early stage entrepreneurs who are willing to into food production but without access to necessary equipments which will significantly increase the availability of food. Encourage the involvement of women and youth in agriculture, provide support, training, and resources to them as they play a crucial role in food production and security.
Agricincome: How can our audience reach out to you?
Adebisi Opeyemi Aminat: They can reach us via any of our social media pages @pemniawellness or via WhatsApp +2349066299901

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