Introduc�on
The goal of CIP-WFP and implementing partners collaborative intervention among refugee settlements is to enhance on-farm production through introduction of high yielding nutritious 
sweetpotato varieties and promote use of recommended farm practices. Whereas sweetpotato is widely grown within the settlements, predominantly local varieties grown are notably 
low yielding due to lack of access to high yielding improved varieties, also, not Vitamin A-rich.

Pre-requisite to piloting strategic agro-nutrition intervention, requires collection of basic information on current yields to enable subsequent appreciation of the intervention pack. 
Accordingly, a crop cut was conducted, to estimate current on-farm yields crop productivity for reference to critically monitor an appreciate improved technologies. A crop cut is 
technique physically conducted to harvest a mature crop from selected plot (called crop-cutting plot) of specified area created within the crop field to estimate its yields. The crop cut 
study ais at estimating the average productivity of sweetpotato storage yield per hectare of varieties of being grown by refugees.

Crop cut sampling during pre-introduction of improved orange-fleshed varieities (OFSP) and 
after introduction of OFSP growing were conducted in July - August 2024 and February 2025, 
respctively. Representative mature crop on farmers existing fields at 120 – 150 days after 
planting (DAP) were harvested for direct measurement of biomass including foliage and 
storage roots yield data. Each host farmer was requested to provide information on when the 
crop was planted and the number of cuttings planted per unit area or heap to establish the 
basic plant population. In each of the 3 field sub sections within individual experimental field, a 
total of 3 separate set samples were conducted each measuring 5 metres by 5 metres plot and 
each per mapped sub-section. Border plants and unique fied spots were excluded to avoid 
biasness. 

Conclusions and Future Research
Overall, certified planting confirm the yield advantage over farmer-own sourceed 
planting of local varities. Thus, critical to enhance the formal seed systems chain 
especially the seed producers especially with screenhouses (Namanda et al., 2023) for 
producion of basic seed as bridge between upstream and downstream to ensure 
availability of adequate quantities of desired varieties for producton of roots by 
downstream end-users. Future research should focus on simple techniques for on-farm 
verification of the quality of planting material. 

References or Acknowledgments

Adikini, S., Mukasa, S.B., Mwanga, R.O.M. and Gibson, R. W. 2016.  Effects of Sweet potato feathery 
mottle virus and Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus on the Yield of sweetpotato in Uganda. Journal of 
phytopathology. 164: 242–254 doi: 10.1111/jph.12451

Namanda, S.; Oloka, B.; Rajendran, S.; McEwan, M.; Namazzi, S.; Tenywa, M.; Ogero, K., Mwanga, 
R.O.M; Low, J.W.; Adikini, S.; Kyalo, G.; Talengera, D.; Mukasa, S.; Omongo, C.; Campos, H.; Yada, 
B.; Bazalaki, S. 2023. Guidelines for construction and management of mini screenhouse for 
sweetpotato seed production. International Potato Center. ISBN: 978-92-9060-653-6. P 26

Data collection and analysis 
Data were collected on total number of plants harvested per plot, marketable and
unmarketable storage roots and respectively weighed. Storage root skin and flesh colour were 
recorded. Harvest data were converted into hectare standard area units. Overall average yield
estimates were representative of for the specific settlement. Data were collected on total
number of plants harvested per plot, marketable and unmarketable storage roots, and
respectively weighed. Storage root skin and flesh colour were recorded. Harvest data were
converted into hectare standard area units. Overall average yield estimates was representative
of for the specific settlement. The number of plants harvested were counted then bundled per
CCE for weighing to get foliage weight. Total biomass yield was obtained by adding storage root 
and foliage yields. Data analysed using Genstat package. 

<

Data Results and Findings

Estimating the impact of interventions for improving 
sweetpotato root yield in refugee settlements in south-
western Uganda using crop cut assessments
Namanda S¹, Kateba L², Grant F¹, Obwakori A³, Lutaaya E³, Kwikiriza N¹, Ikwayo I², Nyirarukundo M¹, 
Mayanja S¹, Moyo M¹¹, Ssali R⁴, Yada B⁴, Omongo C⁴, Peluna F¹, Maru J¹¹, Namara R³, Mutebi A³

I¹International Potato Center (CIP), Uganda; ¹¹CIP Regional Office, Nairobi, ²World Food 
Programme, ³Ripple Effect, ⁴Namulonge Crop Research Resource Institute (NaCRRI)

Method

Fig 2: Participatory crop cut harvesting in refugee and host communities in  
south western in July - August 2024

Tables 1 and 2 demonstrated that on average improved varieties including Naspot 8 and 13 yielded 
higher than local locals largely due to differences in quality of planting material between certified 
and farmer-own planting material,besides good agronomic practices (GAPs. On avearge, certified 
planting material more trippled the yield of local planting msterial. 

Table 1: On-farm storage root yield (t/Ha) of local varieties  in South western Uganda 
sample harvested in March 2025.  

Field Crop cut design 

Field photos on crop cut sampling 

Table 2: On-farm storage root yield (t/Ha) of limproved varieties  in South western 
Uganda for Sept 2024 - -  2025i season .           

Namanda, S., Mwanga, R.O.M., Mukasa, S., Talengera, D., Musoke, C., Kyalo, G., Low, J., Ssemakula, 
G., Magezi, S., Ball, A.-M. 2019. Sweetpotato virus pathogen-tested planting material of susceptible 
varieties results in root yield increase in Uganda. Crop Protection, Volume 124