Opportunities and Constraints of Ware Potato Value Chain Analysis: West Showa Zone, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Potato plays 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 assess the constraints, opportunities and to develop strategic interventions in ware potato production and value chain in Ambo and Dendi districts, Ethiopia. Both primary and secondary data collections were used. Primary data were collected from 227 sampled respondents randomly. Descriptive statistics and opportunities and constraint were used as a means of data analysis. The study revealed that there were high ware potato production potentials in the study areas and from the total potato produced by sample respondents, about 76.28% and 68.68% were sold from Ambo and Dendi districts, respectively. Even though there were potential conditions, in the study areas, the sector was constrained by different production and marketing problems like diseases, drought, insects problems, lack of sufficient irrigation water, limited access to supply of agricultural inputs, lack of adequate extension services, postharvest loss of produce, and others. Thus, to advance the crop productivity, post-harvest value and marketing systems, the ware potato value chain needs an organized and modern agricultural practices, pre and post-harvest management systems, creation of value in order to increase benefits and sufficient technical, financial support services, regulatory framework and availability of information systems. Generally, interventions are required to improve the efficiency and profitability of ware potato value chain in the study areas.

Keywords: Ware potato, Constraints and opportunities, Value chain analysis