Improving Potato Production in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia: A System Diagnosis

Increased productivity of potatoes can improve the livelihood of smallholder potato farmers in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia and is required to meet the growing demand. This paper investigates the opportunities for potato system improvement that could result in improved productivity. Through a diagnosi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Potato research 2009-05, Vol.52 (2), p.173-205
Main Authors: Gildemacher, Peter R., Kaguongo, Wachira, Ortiz, Oscar, Tesfaye, Agajie, Woldegiorgis, Gebremedhin, Wagoire, William W., Kakuhenzire, Rogers, Kinyae, Peter M., Nyongesa, Moses, Struik, Paul C., Leeuwis, Cees
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural production
Agriculture
Biomedical and Life Sciences
CERES
Communicatiewetenschap
Communication Science
Crop and Weed Ecology
Crop science
Leerstoelgroep Gewas- en onkruidecologie
Life Sciences
PE&RC
Plant Genetics and Genomics
Plant Sciences
Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography
Potatoes
Problem solving
Soil fertility
Soil management
Solanum tuberosum
Vegetables
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Summary:Increased productivity of potatoes can improve the livelihood of smallholder potato farmers in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia and is required to meet the growing demand. This paper investigates the opportunities for potato system improvement that could result in improved productivity. Through a diagnosis of the potato systems in the three countries on the basis of surveys and stakeholder workshops, seed potato quality management, bacterial wilt control, late blight control and soil fertility management were identified as key technical intervention topics. For effective problem solving in these areas, the functioning of the potato innovation system requires improvement to better deliver the functions of potato marketing as well as knowledge development and information exchange. With use of a ‘system failure framework’ the shortcomings of the potato innovation system are identified and discussed and options for improvement are suggested.
ISSN:0014-3065
1871-4528
DOI:10.1007/s11540-009-9127-4