São Paulo leads national sweet potato production with a focus on technology and diversity

According to the São Paulo Agribusiness Technology Agency (Apta Regional) and the Institute of Agricultural Economics (IEA), São Paulo is the national leader in sweet potato production, with an estimated 152 thousand tons. In the west of São Paulo, the largest producing region in the state, the forecast is to harvest 4 million boxes of 24 kilos.

Organizer Lucy Rocha highlights the national recognition of the region's sweet potatoes. Businessman Hélio Carlos Drape, present since the first edition, started with a starter prototype and today offers several implements to meet the needs of producers.

Among the innovations presented, industrial manager David de Carlo is betting on technology to use 100% of sweet potatoes in the production of ethanol and animal feed. The objective is to guarantee total yield, including potatoes outside the commercial standard.

Research also boosts crop diversity. Producer Luiz Rocha plants six different varieties, from Canadian to exotic ones with purple and orange flesh. With 50 hectares in varying stages, it produces all year round. This year, the expectation is to harvest 150 thousand boxes.