Ware Potato Value Chain Analysis in West Showa Zone, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Ware potato plays a multiple and important roles in local food systems and for food security; however due to the prevalence of production and marketing constraints, the crop haven't supply majority of its advantages. Thus, the study was conducted in order to link the farmers to the needs of consumers, working closely with suppliers and processors to produce the specific goods required by consumers. This research attempted to analyze the value chain of ware potato in Ambo and Dendi districts, Ethiopia in the cropping year of 2014/15. Data were collected both from primary and secondary sources. Primary data were collected from a total of 227 sampled respondents and were interviewed randomly from both districts. Descriptive, inferential and value chain map was used as a means of data analysis. The study result revealed that there were actors involved from input supply to end markets, who were participated directly or indirectly in the value chain. Direct actors were owners of the product taking risk in the chain: basically buying from other actors, processing and selling the product to the next actors; indirect actors are those that provide financial or non-financial support services to direct actors. From the study results it is possible to conclude that, there were potential conditions for ware potato production in the study areas and many actors involving in the value chain; however, the sector need integrated supports as the value chain was constrained by different production and marketing problems.

Keywords: - Ware potato, Actors, Value chain analysis