Economic Analysis of Small size inferior-grade potato harvests in South Western Uganda.

Abstract

Tiny potato harvests have an insufficient tuber size that limits utilisation options, resulting into less market value because they are largely rejected in the market. This renders the tiny potato tubers to be an inferior-grade, contributing to reduced economic gains at the farm. At times, the tiny tubers are used as seed potato, which is of poor quality, contributing to reduced productivity. These small potato tubers can potentially be processed into high value products such as potato flour. However meagre information relating to these small size inferior-grade potatoes in terms of output, economic loss and alternative uses exist. This necessitated research to comprehend the magnitude of the small size inferior-grade potato harvests in terms of volume, economic loss and alternative economic uses, as a basis to recommend better loss reduction strategies. Therefore, the objectives of this study were; to determine the economic loss from the inferior-gradepotato harvests, determine the factors influencing quantity of inferior-grade potato harvests and also assess alternative economic uses of these tubers. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in south western Uganda, where 237 potato farmers participated. Qualitative and quantitative analytical methods including percentages, means, t-tests, chi square statistics and a regression analysis were used. Study findings indicate that small size inferior-grade potato tubers constitute an average of about 38% of the total harvest, with variations across location, seasons, variety and seed type. Economic loss from small size inferior-grade potato harvests in terms of expected value was estimated at 53% and 60%, when the small tubers are used as ware and seed potato, respectively. In terms of reduced harvest value when the tiny potatoes are used as seed, economic loss was estimated at 65% and 73% in comparison with marketable Non-Quality Declared Seed and Quality Declared Seed, respectively. Results from regression analysis showed that the quantity of small size inferior-grade potato harvests is positively influenced by seed recycling, improved variety, land size and having traders as the main potato buyers. Off-season production and fallowing were found to have a negative influence on quantity of tiny tuber harvests per year. Processing the small size inferior-grade potato tubers into high value products such as potato flour is identified as a good economic use to which the tiny tubers should be put. The study recommends use of quality seed and the entire improved potato technology package as a complementary intervention towards reduced volumes of small size inferior-grade potato harvests and the associated economic losses. Strategies aimed at promoting processing of small size inferior-grade potatoes into high value products are also recommended as one way to reduce economic loss from the tiny tubers.