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Understanding innovation: The development and scaling of orange-fleshed sweetpotato in major African food systems

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  • Low, Jan W.
  • Thiele, Graham

Abstract

The development and scaling of orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) during the past 25 years is a case study of a disruptive innovation to address a pressing need – the high levels of vitamin A deficiency among children under five years of age in sub-Saharan Africa. When the innovation was introduced consumers strongly preferred white or yellow-fleshed sweetpotato, so it was necessary to create a demand to respond to that need. This was at odds with the breeding strategy of responding to consumers’ demands. Additional elements of the innovation package include seed systems and nutrition education to create the awareness amongst consumers of the significant health benefits of OFSP. Complementary innovation is required in promotion and advocacy to ensure a supportive institutional environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Low, Jan W. & Thiele, Graham, 2020. "Understanding innovation: The development and scaling of orange-fleshed sweetpotato in major African food systems," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agisys:v:179:y:2020:i:c:s0308521x19301519
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2019.102770
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Torres-Avila, Angelica & Aguilar-Ávila, Jorge & Santoyo-Cortés, Vinicio Horacio & Martínez-González, Enrique Genaro & Aguilar-Gallegos, Norman, 2022. "Innovation in the pineapple value chain in Mexico: Explaining the global adoption process of the MD-2 hybrid," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    2. Kate R. Schneider & Luc Christiaensen & Patrick Webb & William A. Masters, 2023. "Assessing the affordability of nutrient‐adequate diets," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 105(2), pages 503-524, March.
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    4. Shikuku, Kelvin Mashisia & Tran, Nhuong & Joffre, Olivier M. & Islam, Abu Hayat Md Saiful & Barman, Benoy Kumar & Ali, Shawquat & Rossignoli, Cristiano M., 2021. "Lock-ins to the dissemination of genetically improved fish seeds," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    5. Chalmers K. Mulwa & Simon Heck & Joyce Maru & Josephine Mwema & Hugo Campos, 2023. "Effect of nutrition awareness on utilization of Orange Fleshed Sweetpotato among vulnerable populations in Kenya," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 15(2), pages 479-491, April.
    6. Caroline Hambloch & Kai Mausch & Costanza Conti & Andy Hall, 2023. "Simple solutions for complex problems? What is missing in agriculture for nutrition interventions," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 15(2), pages 363-379, April.
    7. Woltering, Lennart & Valencia Leñero, Eva M. & Boa-Alvarado, Maria & Van Loon, Jelle & Ubels, Jan & Leeuwis, Cees, 2024. "Supporting a systems approach to scaling for all; insights from using the Scaling Scan tool," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    8. Seth R. Gitter & James Manley & Jill Bernstein & Paul Winters, 2022. "Do agricultural support and cash transfer programmes improve nutritional status?," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(1), pages 203-235, January.
    9. Tedesco, Danilo & Moreira, Bruno Rafael de Almeida & Barbosa Júnior, Marcelo Rodrigues & Maeda, Murilo & Silva, Rouverson Pereira da, 2023. "Sustainable management of sweet potatoes: A review on practices, strategies, and opportunities in nutrition-sensitive agriculture, energy security, and quality of life," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    10. Anbes Tenaye & Setegn Gebeyehu & Mihiretu Cherinet, 2025. "Adoption of Orange-Fleshed Sweetpotato (OFSP) Technologies in Southern Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-18, January.
    11. Boru Douthwaite & Claudio Proietti & Vivian Polar & Graham Thiele, 2023. "Using theory to understand how policy change happens: Insights from agricultural research for development," Research Evaluation, Oxford University Press, vol. 32(2), pages 200-212.
    12. repec:oup:rseval:v:32:y:2024:i:2:p:200-212. is not listed on IDEAS
    13. Gatto, Marcel & Mgomezulu, Wisdom R. & Okello, Julius J. & Pradel, Willy & Kwikiriza, Norman & Hareau, Guy G., 2023. "Direct and spillover effects of biofortified sweetpotato interventions on sustained adoption in Malawi," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    14. Adetomiwa Kolapo & Akeem Abiade Tijani & Seyi Olalekan Olawuyi, 2024. "Exploring the Role of Farmer-Led Jumpstarting Project on Adoption of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato in Nigeria: Implications on Productivity and Poverty," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-35, August.
    15. Schut, Marc & Leeuwis, Cees & Thiele, Graham, 2020. "Science of Scaling: Understanding and guiding the scaling of innovation for societal outcomes," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).

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