Sweet Potato in the Caribbean: things that you wanted to know, but did not know whom to ask

Lots of research and trials into various aspects of sweet potato production and processing have been done in the Caribbean, but many farmers and food processors have not been able to access the results of the research and trials. Often the research information remains in the domain of the research institution with very little, if any, outreach to targeted groups who may benefit from the information. Sometimes, the information is not translated and packaged into a format for ease of uptake among the various stakeholder groups, and remain mostly an academic exercise.

Recently, the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) with funding from the Caribbean Development Bank has made a renewed attempt to prepare useful information on sweet potato, that is potentially useful to many stakeholders throughout the Caribbean and elsewhere in the world.

The Multicrop Facility Ltd was engaged to produce a series of short videos (among other things), on various aspects of sweet potato agronomy, processing and value addition. Below are the links to these video documentaries which you may use or share with persons or agencies with an interest in sweet potato.

Sweet Potato Production and Use in the Caribbean

Sweet Potato Varieties Adaptability and Identification

Sweet Potato Agronomy

Sweet Potato Pest and Disease Management

Returns per Drop Water Use Management

Fertilisation and Nutrient Status in Sweet Potato

Sweet Potato Post-Harvest Management

Marketing Sweet Potato

Sweet Potato a Tasty Nutraceutical

New Opportunities in Business

Status of the Sweet Potato Industry

Hopefully, these short videos will stimulate further interest in sweet potato as a strategic commodity to improve healthy lifestyles and sustainable livelihoods.

Root Crops In Abundance But Added Value Through Processing Underutilised

Root crops like cassava, sweet potato, yam, and dasheen form a significant part of agricultural production in CARICOM countries, yet surprisingly little processing occurs locally. Despite their cultural importance and agronomic suitability to Caribbean conditions, these crops rarely undergo transformation beyond basic harvesting and packaging. This represents a missed opportunity for economic development, employment creation, and food security enhancement across the region.

Root crops for sale in a Caribbean outdoor market.

The Current State of Root Crop Processing

Across CARICOM nations, root crops are predominantly sold as fresh produce in local markets. Minimal processing typically involves washing, sorting, and basic packaging. More advanced value-added activities such as flour production, snack manufacturing, or starch extraction remain underdeveloped. This limited processing means that domestic producers capture only a fraction of potential value, while imported processed products dominate supermarket shelves.

Sweet potato packaged for sale in a supermarket

Sweet potato staked for sale in an outdoor market

Key Challenges Limiting Processing Development

1. Scale and Consistency of Production

Many Caribbean root crop farmers operate at small scales with limited mechanisation and modern agronomy methods resulting in:

- Inconsistent supply volumes for processors;

- Seasonal availability fluctuations;

- Poor control of pests and diseases;

- Quality variations that complicate standardised processing.

2. Infrastructure and Technology Gaps

Processing facilities require significant investment in:

- Specialized equipment for washing, peeling, slicing, drying and milling;

- Food-grade production facilities meeting international standards;

- Reliable electricity and water supply, which remains challenging in some areas;

- Refrigeration infrastructure for perishable intermediate products.

3. Market Development Barriers

Processed root crop products face market challenges including:

- Limited consumer awareness and established preferences for imported alternatives;

- Underdeveloped marketing channels for novel local products;

- Difficulty accessing regional and international markets;

- Price competition from imported processed starches and flours.

 4. Policy and Institutional Constraints

The processing sector struggles with:

- Limited access to affordable financing for agro-processing ventures;

- Insufficient extension services focused on processing technologies;

- Regulatory hurdles in food safety certification;

- Weak or expensive linkages between research institutions and private sector processors.

Pathways to Stimulate Local Processing

1. Producer Organization Development

Supporting farmers to organize into cooperatives or producer associations would:

- Aggregate production to achieve necessary scale;

- Facilitate shared investments in post-harvest handling;

- Improve negotiating position with buyers and processors;

- Enable collaborative approaches to quality standardisation, including use of existing standards.

2. Targeted Infrastructure Investment

Strategic investments should prioritize:

- Community-level primary processing facilities in major production zones;

- Shared equipment services for small-scale processors;

- Renewable energy solutions to ensure reliable power for processing operations;

- Improved storage facilities to extend seasonal availability.

3. Product Development and Market Creation

Growing the market for processed root crop products requires:

- Research and development focused on new product formats appealing to consumers preferences and life styles;

- Product formulation to improve shelf stability and convenience;

- Marketing campaigns highlighting nutritional benefits and cultural connections;

- School feeding and institutional procurement programmes to create stable demand.

4. Policy and Regulatory Support

Governments can catalyse processing through:

- Tax incentives for agro-processing investments and facilitate ease of access;

- Streamlined regulatory processes for small-scale food processors;

- Technical assistance programmes for food safety compliance;

- Tariff adjustments to protect new or emerging processing industries;

- Facilitating access to public-private partnerships, including research and development.

5. Skills Development and Knowledge Transfer

Building human capacity through:

- Technical training in food processing technologies;

- Business management education, including financial literacy for small-scale processors;

- Knowledge exchange with successful root crop processing regions/entities;

- Youth entrepreneurship programmes focused on agro-processing.

Initiatives Across CARICOM

Several countries in the CARICOM have made some progress in the processing of root crops into flour, crispy chips and fries (as a substitute for the white potato fries). However, much more needs to be done to expand such production to increase import substitution and reduce our dependence on such foreign goods.

Sweet potato flour, St Vincent and the Grenadines

Sweet potato fries, Barbados

Dasheen Waffle Mix from Tobago

Cassava flour, Guyana

                    

Conclusion

The underdevelopment of root crop processing in CARICOM represents both a challenge and an opportunity. By addressing production constraints, investing in appropriate technology, developing consumer markets, and creating supportive policy environments, Caribbean nations can unlock significant economic value while enhancing food security and reducing import dependence.

A comprehensive approach engaging farmers, processors, researchers, policymakers, and consumers is needed to transform this sector. With strategic intervention, root crops could transition from traditional staples to dynamic inputs for a vibrant agro-processing industry, creating wealth and employment throughout CARICOM nations.

Back again...I hope.

 Time for renewal

So...I have been away from this blog for too long...just fedup with the agricultural situation here in T&T and the lack of a coherent, enlightened and progressive policy environment for agriculture in the country. Of course, the bright UWI graduates in leadership and supervisory positions at the Ministry of Agriculture seem unable to make a tangible and needed difference.

Anyway...a bright spot has emerged after issues of neglect and negligence were highlighted in a recent video...do take a look at the video...

Subsequent to the video getting the Minister's attention, a meeting with the Minister, senior Ministry of Agriculture staff and the farmers were held to decide on the way forward. This eventually led to the allocation of TT$9 million to deal with some of the issues identified in the video. Additionally, several farmers were able to get documentation from the Commissioner of State Land to regularise their land tenure in the area.

Perhaps, all those tonnes of technical studies on agriculture need to be turned into exciting videos and shared widely to stimulate needed action!

Appropriate Infrastructure - protected agriculture (greenhouse)

The Government is offering to lease lands for food production, including the establishment of green houses. The video clip below outlines the types and appropriateness of different structures for protected agriculture, commonly referred to as greenhouses. Perhaps you can spot what is needed to improve on the green house system often seen in Trinidad and Tobago.

Introduction and Purpose

This is the first in a series of expositions that will share experiences and insights into the current and proposed state of locally grown foods, farmers who produce these foods and issues related to farming in Trinidad and Tobago. The intent is to start and support a discussion from a range of stakeholders which may lead to the review or development of policy and actions in support of sustainable food production.

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago recently advertised the proposed distribution of 2,743 acres of small land parcels (2-25 acres) and 1,480 acres of large land parcels (> 25 acres) for food production. Most of these parcels are part of the abandoned sugarcane or food crop lands owned by the former Caroni (1975) Limited.

Vine crops at Nariva

Expanding the opportunities for food production to people who are willing to farm and invest their own resources is commendable and must be encouraged. This approach of the Government is part of the range of enabling activities that are critically needed to stimulate and foster food production. This blog will over time, explore the range of issues that need to be addressed to demonstrate a serious, consistent and practical approach needed for sustainable food production.


The key issues that will be explored are:

• Availability and access to suitable lands
• Access to basic and appropriate infrastructure
• Access to trained or reliable labour
• Control of praedial larceny
• Appropriate and timely technical inputs
• Production scheduling 
• Post harvest handling and quality control
• Timely access to reliable markets 
• Farmer knowledge skills upgrading
• Pollution control
•  Food toxicity and HACCP
• Licensing and certification of suppliers/service providers
• Recognition and use of standards

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