PREFACE

FOREWORD
The role of sweetpotatoes as a major food and feed source for developing countries is unquestioned. It ranks among the top seven crops in the world in production according to FAO statistics, with over 95% of the production occurring in developing countries. Sweetpotato is now grown in more developing countries than any other root or tuber crop.
However, it is becoming more and more apparent that sweetpotato is also a healthy choice for rural populations in developing countries. Not only does it produce more edible energy (carbohydrates) per hectare per day than wheat, rice or cassava, but the right varieties can also provide carotene to adults and children—needed carotene that they can convert to Vitamin A in the body. Some varieties have enough carotene to ward off the severe effects of Vitamin A deficiency, especially in children and lactating mothers. Sweetpotato can be prepared in many different and interesting ways, including cooking the fresh roots and leaves, or processing into animal feed, starch, flour, candy, and alcohol. It can be used as a substitute for wheat in breads and cereals, and can be made into as many tasty and nutritious items as one can imagine – the possibilities are endless.
The growing awareness of just how important this crop is to human health, no matter where it is grown, led the International Potato Center (CIP) to organize this global Conference on the role of sweetpotato, in cooperation with the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) and the Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina (UNALM). Scientists from all around the world responded to the call to participate in the Conference “Sweetpotato: Food and Health for the Future”. They came to share the results of their work, to gain information and knowledge from their colleagues, and to seek ways to improve this versatile crop even more in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. CIP has been in the forefront of that battle for over 15 years, and has recently embarked on an ambitious partnership with African collaborators committed to using sweetpotatoes to reduce the ravaging effects of Vitamin A deficiency in Africa’s children. But CIP cannot do the job alone on this or any front. Conferences such as this one bring together the scientists who are needed to seek solutions and work together toward a common vision. That is CIP’s way of working to achieve its goal – it has proven effective in the past and this Conference will no doubt provide the directions to future success so that sweetpotatoes will fulfill their potential in food and health for the future.

Wanda Collins

PREFACE
This volume of Acta Horticulturae is the Proceedings of the First International Conference on Sweetpotatoe: Food and Health for the Future.
Invited and keynote speakers and selected authors of offered oral papers and posters had the opportunity to submit their manuscripts for publication in this volume of the series Acta Horticulturae.
Submitted manuscripts were reviewed by the Editor and the Editorial Board and amended according to the referee suggestions prior to acceptance.
The ISHS acknowledges the cooperation received from the Editor and the Editorial Board on reviewing the manuscripts which was a significant contribution to the overall quality of the publication.

The ISHS Board of Directors