Analysis of the Adoption of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes in the Gihanga Commune in Burundi

Abstract

The orange-fleshed sweet potato varieties have been adopted with the aim of increasing production, farmers' welfare, and combating chronic malnutrition (ISTEEBU, 2019). This study analyzed the factors determining the adoption of orange-fleshed sweet potato and the constraints associated with adoption in the commune of Gihanga in Burundi. A survey of 385 households was conducted. The results of the logit model showed that adoption of OFSP was positively and significantly influenced by the level of education of the head of household, family labor, access to credit, access to extension services and membership of producer organizations, while the age of the head of household and household size had a negative influence on OFSP adoption. Analysis of constraints using Kendall's Concordance Coefficient revealed that unpredictable weather and climate, lack of capital, unavailability of OFSP cuttings, insufficient arable land and high labor costs were the main constraints to adoption of orange-fleshed sweet potato. The government and other players in the agricultural sector should do their part to raise awareness, mobilize and support farmers to adopt sweet potato varieties. They should also disseminate and facilitate access to cuttings in order to improve their adoption rate.

Keywords: Orange-fleshed sweet potato, adoption, determinants, Gihanga.

DOI: 10.7176/JESD/15-2-01

Publication date: January 31^st 2024