POTATOES; A FOOD AND CASH CROP
Potato is a starchy tuber crop; It has become a staple food in most parts of the world and the world’s fourth largest food crop.
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What is generally known as potatoes is what we Nigerians call the Irish potato.
In Nigeria, potatoes are usually fried to make fries which is usually eaten ketchup and chicken.
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METHOD OF CULTIVATION
Potatoes are generally grown from seed potatoes. This are potato tubers specifically grown for planting, they are usually made to be disease free.
METHODS OF STORAGE
Potatoes are usually stored in dark and low temperature rooms, temperature around 4 degrees Celsius are usually recommended.
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Under these optimum conditions, potatoes can be stored for 10 to 12 months, but the shelf life of potatoes is about a few weeks.
USES OF POTATOES
Potatoes are used for brewing alcoholic drinks such as vodka.
Potato starch is used as a thickener in the preparation of soups.
Potato can be used as feed for livestock.
NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS
They contain VITAMIN C, VITAMIN D, VITAMIN B6, and POTASSIUM.
The health benefits of the above stated vitamins and elements cannot be overemphasized.
They help ward of cancer and also fights aging.
ADVERSE EFFECTS
Potatoes contain toxic compounds known as glycoalkaloids. These compounds protect the plant from predators.
Although, cooking at high temperatures partly destroys the compound. The high concentration of glycoalkaloids produces a toxic effect in humans.
Glycoalkaloids may cause headaches, diarrhoea, cramps, and in severe cases coma and death; howover, poisoning from potatoes occurs very rarely.
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