Analysis of Potato Seed Supply System in the Potato-Dominated Smallholder Farming System in West Arsi Zone, Oromia National Regional State

Abstract

In Ethiopia, lower productivity of potato production has been one of the significant contributors to food insecurity. Considerable efforts have been made by the government, NGOs and researchers in generating, introducing and disseminating appropriate potato technologies to boost the production and productivity of potato. The objective of this study was to identify the status and performance of potato seed supply and factors that determine potato seed supply system in West Arsi zone. A multi-stage random sampling procedure was used to select 120 sample potato producers and 21 traders using probability proportional to size. Descriptive statistics and econometric model were used to analyze data. In West Arsi zone, informal, and alternative potato seed systems co-exist which accounts for 83.71 and16.29%, respectively. Access to market information and credit service plays an important role in accessing of improved potato seed supply system by smallholders’ farmers. Therefore, any interventions that make farmers access to above mentioned service of the households have better enhances farmer’s access to potato seed in the area. Farm income effect farmer’s access to potato seed supply system. Therefore, household farm income should be increased to enhance access of potato seed supply systems. Meanwhile land allocated for potato production and potato yield obtained have a positive effect on farmers access to potato seed supply system. Therefore, land allocated for potato production should be increased by using rent-in and shared-in land to enhance access of potato seed supply systems and potato yield have to be increased by using different agricultural technologies.