Did you know that Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a vigorous scrambling or climbing perennial plant which is not even closely related botanically to the common potato though in etymology they are the same?

The Sweet potato or Sweetpotato, also known as Brazilian arrowroot, with scientific name Ipomoea batatas, is a dicotyledonous plant that belongs to the bindweed or morning glory family, Convolvulaceae; it is basically an underground tuber. Its large, starchy, sweet-tasting, tuberous roots are a popular root vegetable. Though widely grown as a food supplement in many regions of the world (with China leading in its production), it is still a neglected crop in India; though grown in 19 states but mostly in Orissa, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. However, it is known in many vernacular languages as: Genasu gadde (ಗೆಣಸು ಗಡ್ಡೆ) or ಸೀಗೆಣಸು Seegenasu in Kannada, Mitha alu in Hindi, Cakkarakkilangu in Malayalam, Carkkarai valli in Tamil, Chilagadadumpa in Telugu, Ratale in Marathi, Raktalu in Gujarathi, Shakarkandi in Punjabi, and Kitimulabha in Sanskrit. Though mainly food crop (roasted sweet potatoes are popular street food in many countries) it also has industrial use in production of biomass energy. It is reportedly the highest amount of calorie producer per unit land area of all useful crops.

Sweet potato is a vigorous scrambling or climbing perennial plant producing stems 4 metres or more long from underground tubers. These stems can scramble over the ground or twine into other plants for support. Where the stems lay along the soil they will root at the nodes and form tubers. Usually orange in colour, it is also found in other colors, such as white, red, pink, violet, yellow, and purple. Sweet potatoes are likely healthier than regular potatoes. They have a lower glycemic index (GI), more fiber, and large amounts of beta carotene.

Sweet potato is a plant of the tropics, but can also be grown in the subtropics and, if there is a sufficient growing season of 110 - 170 days, as an annual crop in warmer parts of the temperate zone. In India, it is grown throughout the country utilizing the monsoon rains during Kharif (June-July) and under irrigation during Rabi (October - November). It is propagated normally through vine cuttings, obtained from either freshly cultivated harvested plants or from nursery; vines from nursery reportedly result in healthy maximum tuber production. It has higher nutrient density than cereals but provides less edible energy and protein per unit weight than cereals. Improved production technologies have been identified and introduced for different Agro-climatic zones in India, by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The important centre in India with regard to sweet potato is the Central Tuber Crop Research Institute (CTCRI) in Trivandrum, Kerala; with regard to sweet potato germplasm, a total, number of 835 genetic stocks are maintained at this institute.  

Ipomoea batatas is rich in an antioxidant called beta carotene, and as such it is very effective at raising blood levels of Vitamin A, particularly useful for children. 

They are eaten boiled, baked, steamed, or fried. Cooked sweet potato (baked in skin) is 76% water, 21% carbohydrates, 2% protein, and contains negligible fat (table). Sweet potato stir fry is very popular and healthy and tasty sweet. It is either cooked in salt water or in charcoal.

Narasipur Char