Crop

Water requirement

Preservation possibilities

Remarks

Sweet potato

• Drought tolerant
• Waterlogging should be avoided

• Can be stored in the soil for limited time
• Dry chips and flour can be used, even after several months

• Propagated by vegetative planting material (vines to be cultivated in nurseries for replanting)
• Leaves are a popular vegetable
• Tuber is a good source of energy

Cassava

• Drought tolerant
• Often planted as emergency food source

• Harvested as required or stored as dried chips
• Processed into gari or flour for later use Warning: toxicity of some cultivars

• Tuber is a good source of energy

Taro or
cocoyam

• Suitable for waterlogged areas

• Perennial
• Can be harvested as required

• Leaves are of high nutritional value

Yam

• High

• Limited storage time

• Needs staking

Groundnut

• Low

• Stores well when dried

• Good source of fat/oil
• Excellent when ground up and mixed into weaning foods

Pigeon pea

• Low

• Many plant parts are used, fresh and dried

• Perennial

Beans

• Planted at the end of the rains

• Dried bean flour produced

• Many different varieties

Onion and shallot

• Particularly high for bulb development

• Can keep for several months, cured and stored in cool, dry place

• Varieties are daylight sensitive

Tomato

• High, but does best in dry season, to limit diseases

• Traditional sun drying possible

Eggplant

• African varieties have low water requirements, even to limited drought tolerance

• Extended harvesting

• Local varieties are preferred

Leafy vegetables

• High, but short growth period

• Possible sun drying, but fresh product preferred

• Medium to good source of vitamins A and C

Oil crops

• Many drought-tolerant species, such as safflower, sesame, nug

• Household- and community-level processing possible

• Home garden production needs promotion
Concentrated source of energy

Mango

• If well established, can withstand periods of water scarcity

• Solar drying produces a good, storable product

• Solar drying needs promotion, as mangoes are abundant when in season and many go to waste
• Good source of vitamin A

Papaya

• Water for seedling establishment is extremely important

• Once mature, difficult to keep

• Productivity declines drastically after three years
• Good source of vitamin A

Banana or plantain

• High

• If water supply is sufficient, year-round bearing is possible

• Can also be dried
• Excellent snack food for children, fresh or dried

Guava

• Drought tolerant

• Important in emergencies
• Excellent source of vitamin C