New varieties of sweet potato may help prevent diabetes, cancer

Researchers at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) have developed three new varieties of sweet potato that are even more nutritious and medicinally beneficial than traditional colored sweet potatoes. Named BAU Sweet Potato-7, 8, and 9, these new varieties are believed to help prevent diseases like cancer and diabetes, according to scientists and medical experts.

The researchers report that these colorful sweet potatoes are three times more productive than regular varieties, yielding 1 to 1.5 kilograms per plant. They mature within 90 to 100 days and can be cultivated year-round. In addition to generating profit, farmers cultivating these sweet potatoes can also contribute to meeting the country’s nutritional needs.

The breakthrough came after five years of research led by Professor Dr. Arif Hasan Khan from the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding at BAU, along with his team of young researchers. The seed was initially sourced from Peru. They have now taken steps to distribute these new varieties nationwide through the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC).

Professor Arif Hasan explained, “The seeds were collected from the headquarters of the International Potato Center in Lima, Peru. Using polycross breeding techniques, we produced seedlings and, after five years of research, successfully developed these three colorful sweet potato varieties.”

Dr. Khurshid Alam, head of Medicine Unit-2 at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, stated that these purple, orange, and pink sweet potatoes are rich in anthocyanins, carotene, and fiber. Regular consumption of these compounds can significantly help the human body resist diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

Team members involved in the research added that the process gave them valuable insights into scientific methodology. They are now working to expand the cultivation of these newly developed sweet potatoes across the country.