Growers and distributors of Sweet Potatoes, one of Mississippi's fastest growing specialty crops, are reporting a record number of acres planted in the 2001 growing season.

According to Benny Graves, Plant pathologist for the Bureau of Plant Industry at the Mississippi Department of Agriculture Sweet Potato Specialist, and a spokesperson for the Mississippi Sweet Potato Council, more than 16,500 acres of Sweet Potatoes were planted in the State this year. With the increase of more than 2000 acres over last year, Mississippi is now the third largest producer of the commodity in the nation, and projections indicate that 2001 will be a very good crop year, as well.

"Harvest is moving at a rapid pace this year, and so far we are having excellent yields and high quality potatoes, despite some periods of wet weather that have adversely effected many of our other crops," says Graves. "Although it is too early to accurately predict how well the rest of the harvest will go, presently we are seeing an average of 300 bushels to the acre."

Graves and other members of the Mississippi Sweet Potato Council, established by a group of growers in 1974 to help promote and market the State's Sweet Potatoes, believe that this year's record crops are only the beginning.

"We have seen tremendous growth in the Sweet Potato industry as a whole, but even more exciting to us is the recognition that Mississippi Sweet Potatoes are beginning to receive for their excellent quality," Graves adds. "When compared in taste, texture and color to Sweet Potatoes grown in other parts of the country, the Mississippi-grown product is outstanding."

According to Graves the new Sweet Potato acreage planted this year can be attributed to the addition of some new growers of the commodity, and some existing growers who see their market potential expanding each year. Delta growers account for about 100 of the new acres planted in 2001.

Beside the recent increases in Sweet Potato acreage, one of the other greatest influences on the industry is the improvement in storage facilities. Some Mississippi growers have made sizable investments in the construction of state-of-the-art storage facilities that are temperature and humidity controlled. This technology has a significant impact on how they can market their crops, because it allows them to extend the shelf life of their potatoes to twelve to fourteen months, making the Mississippi Sweet Potato a viable food product year round. It also gives growers and distributors more control over when and at what price they sell their product.

Randal Wright, President of the Mississippi Sweet Potato Council and a Sweet Potato grower from Vardaman, Mississippi is one of the growers who recently has upgraded his storage sheds. Wright, who along with his partner Larry Nelson, planted 540 acres of Sweet Potatoes in 2001, up by 150 acres over the previous year, sees tremendous potential for the industry.

"Sweet Potato consumption has steadily increased over the past few years for several reasons," says Wright. "Not only are increasing numbers of individual consumers purchasing more Sweet Potatoes, but the restaurant and food service industries are also increasing their consumption out of public demand as their customers become more knowledgeable about the health benefits of the Sweet Potato." "It's color, texture and flexibility also have made it a favorite of chefs, who are helping to elevate, what used to be considered a "down home" comfort food eaten primarily during the holidays, to a trendy product that is "at home" even on the most elegant menu," Wright adds.

Wright and his partner who operate N & W Farms, grow, pack, sell and ship Sweet Potatoes throughout the Southeast and the Northeast, and the demand for their potatoes is growing every year.

Delta planter, Jimmy Turner of Belzoni has been growing Sweet Potatoes for five years. Turner, says he planted only 10 acres his first year as an experiment-because he had been looking for a specialty crop to add to his traditional row crops as a way to diversify his farming operation. This year Turner planted 307 acres and has constructed one of the most advanced, computer controlled storage facilities anywhere.

"Because our storage sheds control temperature and humidity, we can now keep our Sweet Potatoes in prime market condition for up to fourteen months," Turner explains. "Between July and August, I shipped thirty truck loads of potatoes-something I would not have been able to do without the facilities to hold my potatoes over to the latter part of the season."

Turner says the wet growing season has caused some minor damage to his Sweet Potato crop, but he expects his yields for 2001 will still be very good.

In light of the growing market for Sweet Potatoes, members of the Mississippi Sweet Potato Council have recently contracted with a marketing and public relations firm to help raise the level of awareness of the superior quality of the Mississippi Sweet Potato. The council will be targeting the food service industry, large grocery store chains, food editors and others who can help to establish the Mississippi Sweet Potato as the "potato of choice" for a consumer public that is only now beginning to realize the outstanding nutritional and aesthetic value of the Sweet Potato.

For more information about Mississippi Sweet Potatoes, including how to get started growing Sweet Potatoes, one may contact Benny Graves at (662)325-7773 or e-mail at Benny@mdac.state.ms.us.

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