(Tetum) Guilerme da Costa is farmer living in Bahu village, Baucau, who plants the three improved sweet potato varieties: Hohrae 1, Hohrae 2, and Hohrae 3.

He first got involved with the Seeds of Life program in 2009 when he was invited to grow the improved sweet potato varieties as part of an on-farm demonstration trial.

Guilerme now grows Hohrae 1, 2 and 3 on his two fields

“The yield is good, the root is big, and it has a great taste”

He initially received 25 sweet potato stems to plant in his plot.

From these small beginnings over four years ago, Guilerme now grows the three varieties in his two fields because he finds the results so impressive.

“I am really happy with the result of these sweet potatoes.

“It doesn’t take a long time to grow – only 3 months and then we can harvest,” he said.

“The yield is good, the root is big, and it has a great taste.”

With his profits, Guilerme has built a house and sent his children to school

Guilerme continues to produce sweet potato stems to replant in his plot.

He also shares some stems with neighbours so they can benefit from the improved yields.

After harvest, Guilerme’s wife sells the sweet potatoes in the local market and they can earn more than US$1,000.

With these profits he has been able to build a house and send his children to school.