Replication Data for: Rapid market assessment: Viable Sweetpotato Technologies in Africa – Tanzania

This report was based on a rapid assessment study conducted in 14 markets in the intervention areas of the Viable Sweetpotato Technologies in Africa (VISTA) Tanzania project. VISTA Tanzania project aimed to expand the production and utilization of nutritious orange‐fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) in the seven districts in Tanzania in Mbeya, Iringa and Morogoro regions that were part of USAID’s Feed the Future zones of influence. The project sought to contribute to improved dietary diversity, food security and incomes in Tanzania, especially among the households with children under five years of age. The results indicate that sweetpotato produce markets varied in size, structure and nature of operations, and for the study were categorized as large, medium and small. The most common source of fresh sweetpotato roots in the large markets was Songea region. Some 89% of the traders obtained their sweetpotato supplies directly from farmers. Retailers constituted 76% of the traders, traders with dual functions 13% and wholesalers 8%. Women formed 77% of the retail and 63% of the wholesale traders. White‐fleshed sweetpotato varieties were the most traded followed by yellow‐fleshed varieties and then OFSP. About 46% of the traders had heard about OFSP, most of whom were women. Only 39% of the traders were aware of the nutritional benefits of OFSP. Sweetpotato consumption data indicated that 61% of the consumers were not aware of OFSP, but the general perception was that its demand was on the increase. Over 70% of the consumers bought sweetpotato at least once a week, and the purchase factors that were considered important included root size, skin color and extent of root damage. Flesh color and price also were important.