Nguvu Sweetpotato Farms

THE DANGERS OF DELAYED HARVESTING IN SWEET POTATO PRODUCTION 🍠

Many farmers believe leaving sweet potatoes in the ground longer will always increase yield and profits. However, delayed harvesting can actually reduce market quality, storage life and eating quality.

One of the first signs of over-aged sweet potato is root deformation. The roots begin to twist, bend and lose their attractive shape as they continue growing under soil pressure and changing moisture conditions. This reduces their appeal on the fresh market where consumers prefer smooth, well-shaped roots.

Another major problem is decline in taste and texture. Sweet potatoes left too long in the field often become fibrous, watery or overly starchy depending on the variety and environmental conditions. Some lose their natural sweetness and cooking quality, making them less desirable to consumers.

Delayed harvesting also increases exposure to:
❌ Cracking and splitting
❌ Pest and nematode damage
❌ Rodent attacks
❌ Rot and fungal infections
❌ Waterlogging during heavy rains

In some cases, old roots become too large and coarse, reducing both processing quality and storage performance.

Timely harvesting is therefore very important. Farmers should monitor the maturity period of each variety and harvest within the recommended window to maintain:
✅ Good taste
✅ Attractive appearance
✅ Better storage quality
✅ Higher market value

Good farming is not only about producing large quantities — it is also about harvesting at the right time to preserve quality and profitability...

For quality sweet potato vines and kandolo cultivation training contact us pali 0974004366

What are the current sweet potato prices in your area? If you are a farmer you have to have contact numbers for at least 3 agents in every major council market.

Remember, the quality of your sweet potato will determine how fast you sell and what price you'll fetch!

Always aim to produce high quality sweet potato at all costs!

Adam Smith has the following question: Let's help him...

I am a long time home gardener but first time sweet potato gardening. Almost 2 months in water and no green leaves for slips. This is organic sweet potato. What can I do?

I tried soil method previously for slips but organic sweet potato turned to mold.

I am eventually going to put slips in 20 gallon totes with straight vegetable soil if I can make this work.

I am also producing my own fertilizer (Fish Hydrolysate, Bocking 14 Comfry Tea, Worm Castings, and Bone Meal). Will any of these help once in 20 gallon totes or should I just let them grow on their own?

Thank You! Your input is greatly appreciated!

This news headline means:
Farmers that are growing Lumanda and Mundambi are making more money than those that are growing maize...

What is Hibiscus? It is simply a group of special plants where the following belong:
1. Lumanda (Hibiscus Surattensis - Green) and
2. Mundambi (Hibiscus Sabdariffa/Roselle - Red)

fans don't let the fancy name confuse you 😂

Hibiscus crop competing with maize and soya - Zambian Business Times Hibiscus is delivering stronger profit margins than […]

How much are sweet potatoes in your area? Take note of the current prices, the timing and the cost of distribution as you plan for next season 👍

Just a reminder. Sweet Potatoes will reduce the price in due time to August. This is because many farmers will be harvesting from May going upwards. From August, 2026 to May 2027 Sweet Potatoes will attract higher prices because on record 99% of the Zambian Sweet Potatoes is grown during the Rain season.. 1% is done through winter and Summer Irrigation.

Now be that farmer who can be harvesting between 2000 to 4000 bags of Sweet Potatoes these should be 50kg. From August to May you won't expect a 50kg of Sweet Potatoes to fetch Below K300...

To prove our analysis come and comment here between August 2026, September 2026, October 2026, November 2026 to May 2027.

Ndine Farmer