Potatoes products

1. HARAMAYA UNIVERSITY
Postgraduate Program Directorate
Determinants of Potato Production in Goro Muti District, East Hararghe
Zone, Ethiopia
M.Sc. Thesis Research Presentation
By Shimelis Lulu
Major Advisor: Saleamlak Fentaw (Assistant Professor)
Co-Advisor: Abule Mehari (PhD)
March, 2022
Haramaya University, Haramaya

2. Presentation Out Line
2
Presentation Outline
1. Introduction
2. Research Methodology
3. Result and discussion
4. Summary, conclusion & recommendations

3. 3
1.INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background
 Potato is the world’s fourth most widely cultivated food crop after
wheat, rice and maize & is one of the most economically important food
crops in the world (FAO, 2019).
 . It is one of the fastest expanding food crops in SSA, used for human
consumption, animal feed; and a source of starch and alcohol and a main
source of revenue in SSA (FAOSTAT, 2019).
 Generates more employment in the farm economy, serve as a source of
cash income for low-income farm households in the world (USAID,
2013).
 Africa- accounted for 6.4% a of the world production &10% area harvested,
potato yields -ranged from 0.7 to 36 tons/ha ,continent average - yield 13
tons/ha -was below the global average yields &the higher average yields
obtained in the USA or in Belgium (48 tons/ha).

4. Cont......
Despite its global importance, there are wide regional and sub-regional
disparities in its production (FAO,2010).
Table: patterns of potato production & productivity in the year 2017 in the
world(FAOSTAT, 2019)
Area(ha) Production(ton) Productivities(ton/ha)
worldwide 19.4 million 388 million 20
Africa 1.9 million 25 million 13
Ethiopia 67,591 0.9 million 13.32

5. Potato -a valuable crop for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, serving
as both cash and food security crops.
In Ethiopia, potato is one of the strategic commodities for
ensuring food security and it is nutritional provides a high-calorie
intake, edible energy and good quality protein and a substantial
amount of vitamins.
In recent years, potato production has increased significantly, as
well as the number of households engaged in and the area of land
covered by its production (FAO, 2019).
Ethiopia has considerable potential for potato cultivation, as 70 percent of its
arable land is suitable mainly highland areas above 1500 meters of altitude. Is one
of the major producers in Eastern Africa because of its suitable agro ecology and
its domestic consumption levels.

6. The major problem to higher potato yield and reliable supplies in
Africa are:
Limited or no access of farmers to high-quality
Seed tubers of improved varieties,
Poor crop husbandry practices (e.g. disease and soil fertility management),
 Limited access of smallholder farmers to inputs (fertilizers, pesticides) and
Financial services and poor post-harvest management.
Farmers’ knowledge of good agronomic practices, which could boost potato
yields and marketability, is uneven in Africa (Schulte Geldermann, 2017).

7. Cont.…
Smallholder Area in ha Production in Qt Productivities ton/ha
Ethiopia 1,068,5160 70,362.22 9,245,283.61 13.14 (CSA,2019/20)
E/Hararghe 49,461.00 2,472.59 477,171.27 19.3 (CSA,2014)
Goro Muti 8650.00 1746.00 139,680 .00 8 WARDO,2018/19)
Patterns of potato production and productivity in Ethiopia

8. Smallholder farmers in the country grow potato with national productivity
ranging between 8-10 tons/ ha, which is very low compared to potential yield
(40 ton/ha) obtained under research condition and under model farmers
research conditions above 50 ton/ha.
As a highland country located in the tropics mainly highland areas above 1500
meters of altitude and has very favorable conditions for the production of high-
quality potato (FAO, 2019).

9. 9
Cont.……
 Smallholder farmers in the country grow potato with national productivity
ranging between 8-10 tons/ ha, which is very low compared to potential
yield (40 ton/ha) obtained under research condition and under model
farmers research conditions above 50 ton/ha.
 As a highland country located in the tropics mainly highland areas above
1500 meters of altitude and has very favorable conditions for the
production of high-quality potato (FAO, 2019).
 Despite the presence of conducive environmental factor for potato
production in Ethiopia a number of constraints that limit the production
and productivity particularly under smallholder farmers’ condition.
 Challenges-include diseases, lack of improved varieties, poor crop
management practices, use of inferior quality seed tubers of unknown
origin, inappropriate storage structure, poor seed system, poor research-
extension linkage, are among the key factors which contribute to low
productivities of yield (Animaw, 2019).

10. 10
 CSA (2019/20) despite the production potentials and importance of
potato crop, low national average productivity(13.14 ton/ha) as compared
to the potential yield (40 ton/ha) obtained under research condition.
 Although a considerable effort has been done nationally by research
institutions, to improve the productivity of potatoes productivity is low is
below the national average yield (13.14 tons/ha).
 Small farmers' productivity and research station productivity is by far
different from very little farmer’s productivity which indicates there exist
gaps between current potato yields and potential yields.
 East Hararghe Zone potato productivity with an average yield of
(19.3ton/ha). Goro Muti district is one of the major potato producers in
the East Hararghe zone.
Cont.………

11. 11
 The productivity of potatoes in the study area is 8 ton/ha which is below
the average productivity of potatoes in Ethiopia (13.14 ton/ha), and the
East Hararghe zone (19.3 ton/ha).
 This shows that the average productivity of potatoes in the district is
below national and zonal average productivities.
 Potato is a major food and cash crop produced in the Goro Muti district
and enhancing the total production and productivity is not an option rather
it is a must and gives the first priority.
 Production and productivity can be basically boosted through increased
use of inputs or improvement in technology given some level of input.
Cont.………

12. 12
1.2. Statement of the Problem
 According to CSA (2014) indicates the area under potato production in
East Hararghe Zone is 2,207 ha with an average yield of 193 Qt/ha
(19.3ton/ha) and
 according to (GMWAO,2019) indicates average potato production yield
in the district is 80 Qt/ha (8 ton/ha) which is very low when compared
with an average potato production yield of zonal(19.3ton/ha),
national(13.14 ton/ha), under model farmers research conditions above 50
ton/ha (FAO, 2019) and the potential yield (40 ton/ha) obtained under
research condition, respectively.
 During 2018/19, the local potato productivity in Goro muti district is 80
Qt/ha (8 ton/ha) which is low hence there is a gap in production when
compared with national potato production differences per ha and under
research conditions in Ethiopia.
 It indicates the potential attainable productivity of potato at the national

13. 13
 Accordingly, the study of CSA (2019/20) and FAO (2019) indicates that
there is a gap in production and how is filled and causes are the main
issues of the study.
 In the study area, there is a literature gap that is no prior research done on
this similar topic regarding determinants of potato production and related
issues. This research identifies that why potato production is low and
recommends possible recommendations and need for improvement
interventions.
 Improving this sector contributes to the productivity of agriculture and the
generation of higher incomes, promotion of food self-sufficiency, and
improving the health condition of the people.
 Therefore, this study initiates to identify socio-economic, production and
institutional factors affecting potato production at smallholder farmers’
level and analyze the opportunities and constraints of potato production of
farm households in the case of Goro Muti district, East Hararghe Zone,
Ethiopia.
Cont.………

14. 14
1.3. Objectives of the Study
General objective
 The main aim of the study was to investigate the factors affecting
potato production in Goro Muti district, East Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia.
Specific objectives
• The specific objectives of this study were:
 1. To assess the major socio-economic, production and institutional
factors affecting potato production in the Goro Muti district.
 2. To assess the opportunities and constraints of potato production in
the Goro Muti district.

15. 15
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
2.1. Description of the Study Area
 The study was conducted in East Hararghe Zone, Goro Muti district
which is popular for potato production in the zone.
 Located in Eastern part of Ethiopia at a distance of 456 km from Addis
Ababa and 98 km from Harar town.
 Total population=115164,male=62327(54%),and female=52777 (46%) .
 Total rural population =95954, males =45275(50.22%) and females
=50682(49.78%).
 Total rural household heads was= 19207 (males =17,112,females =20,95).
 Altitude =600-2880 m.a.s.l, agro-climatic Zone of the district,7% =Woyna
Dega ,36% =kola and 57% =Dega agro-climatic Zone.
 Mean annual rainfall= 300-900mm and the mean annual temperature
=12-27°c(GMWAO, 2019).

16. 16
2.2. Data Source, type and Methods of
Data Collection
 Both primary and secondary data were used.
 Primary data were collected from 196 randomly selected sample
respondents farm households heads, using a structured questionnaires.
 Secondary data were also collected from reports from different
organizations like research thesis, article journal reports, CSA data, FAO
reports, FAOSTAT reports, Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation
Agency reports, National Bank of Ethiopia reports, and woreda
agricultural and rural development office documents.
2.3. Sampling technique and Sample size
Determination
 Both purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used.
 Purposeful sampling technique were used to select district and
considering farmers that are involved in potatoes production.

17. 17
Cont.……
 Amulti-stage sampling procedure were used to identify sample
households/select villages and sample respondents for data collection.
 First stage, in collaboration with DA and agricultural office experts , 8
potential dega potato producing kebeles were randomly selected.
 Second stage, out of 8 kebeles from Dega 4 potential potato producer
kebeles, selected randomly.
 Third stage, in order to determine the required sample size (total number
of households) for this study following Yamane (1967), at 95%
confidence level and 7% level of precision, n = 𝑁/[1+𝑁 (𝑒)2 ] 196 sample
potato producing farmers were selected from the total households of four
kebeles by using a simple random sampling technique based on
probability proportional to size. Where: n = sample size ; N = total
number of potato producers farm household heads in the selected sample
kebeles (4,776) and e is the desired level of precision.

18. 18
Cont.……
2.4. Method of Data Analysis
 Both descriptive and econometric were employed
Descriptive statistics
 Means, standard deviations, frequency, and percentages were used using
SPSS software version 20, and the data entered in SPSS were exported
into STATA 14.2 for further analysis of the data. In addition, descriptive
tools such as tables were used.
Econometric models
 Log-linear form of Cobb Douglass production function model were used
to identify the determinants of potato production, and Ordinary Least
Square (OLS) regression were employed for the estimation of the model
the rationale was due to the continuous nature of the dependent
variable, potato production.

19. 19
Cont.……
 Model is preferred for simplicity reasons and for direct estimation of
elasticities.
 The production function is a function of explanatory variables
(independents) that used in the production model ( socio-economic
factors, input variables, and institutional) factors.
 Therefore, multiple regression of log-linear model were used to
estimate production function to identify determinants of potato
production in the district.
 Empirical econometric model specification of the Cobb-Douglas
production function for this study :
 The, Cobb-Douglas frontier function for this study specified as :


20. 20
Cont.………
 Linear form of Cobb-Douglas production functions for this study is
Where: Ln =natural logarithm, the subscript represents sampled farmer;
Y = Quantity of the actual potato produced in Qt dv, The intercept of the
regression equation=
The parameter to be estimated

21. 21
3.1. Descriptive Results
 Table1:Summary statistics of socio-economic characteristics of the farm
households
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Characteristics Units Mean Std. Dev. Min Max
Age of the household Years 38.99 8.19 22 70
Education level Years 4.35 3.43 0 16
Farm income Birr 38784.62 24434.6 1550 142000
Off-farm income Birr 2457.143 12281.65 0 150000
Access to extension
contact
Frequency
of contact
4.1 3.47 0 12
Potato farming
experience
Years 7.57 3.77 1 20
Family size Person 5.55 1.95 2 18
Total land holding size Hectares 0.45 0.18 .25 1.5

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Characteristics Frequency Percentage
Household head sex Male
Female
18
178
9.18
90.82
Access to extension services No Access
Access
58
138
29.59
70.41
Access to credit No Access
Access
156
40
79.59
20.41
Access to market No Access
Access
102
94
52.04
47.96
Membership to cooperative No membership
Membership
102
94
52.04
47.96
Off farm income No
Yes
176
20
89.80
10.20
Organic fertilizer used No
Yes
27
169
13.78
86.22
Cont.…..

23. 23
Characteristics Units Mean Std. Dev. Min Max
Potato output/yield Quintals/ha 33.81 17.59 8 150
Potato farm size Hectares 0.21 0.082 0.125 0.75
Adult equivalent Man days/ha 74.14 63.95 11.5 371.25
Oxen power used Oxen days/ha 0.643 1.59 0 15
Improved seed used Kilograms/ha 305.87 148.94 0 1400
Local seed used Kilograms/ha 11.99 48.8 0 300
Quantity of fertilizer used Kilograms/ha 58.55 34.44 25 200
Agrochemicals applied Grams/ha 74.62 115.73 0 750
Seed used (Improved and
Local seeds)
Kilograms/ha 317.86 138.81 150 1400
Amount of organic
fertilizer used
Quintals/ha 18.25 13.05 0 50
Cont.…..

24. 24
 Log-log production function results identify factors affecting potato
production in line with the specific objective of this paper where which
socio-economic, input, and institutional factors influence potato
production in the study area is central.
3.2.1. Econometric Model Tests
 The econometric analysis begins by checking, the hypothesized
explanatory variables for the existence of multicollinearity,
heteroscedasticity and omitted variables, endogeneity, and normality
problem of the data.
 Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) was used and the test result indicated that
there was no significant multicollinearity or association of variables
observed for the test and it was found out that multicollinearity was not a
problem since all the VIF scores were much less than 5.
3.2. Results of Econometric Analysis

25. 25
 Using the Breuch-Pagan test there is no heteroscedasticity problem in
the data set, the parameter estimates of the coefficients of the
independent variables are BLUE.
 Model specification was carried out using the Ramsey-reset test, and
the results revealed that there were no omitted variables in the model.
 This model was also tested for endogeneity using the Wu-Hausman
test and it was found out that endogeneity was not a problem as well.
 Normality problem of the data is tested by Shapiro-Wilk W test for
normal data which indicated the data is normal data.
 Therefore, the OLS method of the log-linear model was used to
identify factors affecting potato production by smallholder farmers in
the study area since all assumption was fulfilled.
 The model was statistically significant at a 1% probability level indicating the
goodness of fit of the model to explain the relationships of the hypothesized variables.
 The coefficient of determination (𝑅2) was 0.7055 meaning that the factors captured in
the model explained 70.55 % of the fluctuations in potato production in the study area
leaving only 29.45% of the fluctuation in potato production unexplained and was
used to check the goodness of fit for the regression log-linear model.
Cont.……

26. 26
3.2.2. Determinants of Potato Production
 The log-log production function model estimation method was used to
identify factors affecting potato production of households.
 A number of variables were hypothesized to affect potato production of
households.
 Results of the log-log model showed that out of the 16 explanatory
variables that were entered into the model, nine of them, namely sex,
education level, farm income, labor, potato plot size, improved seed,
fertilizer, agrochemicals used and access to the market were as
hypothesized which increases potato production and whereas education
level and farm income were as not as hypothesized which inversely
related with potato production were found to significantly affect potato
production.
 The results indicates a summary of the estimation of the log-log
production function -output, socio-economic , continuous input used, and
institutional variables in the econometric model are illustrated in table
below.
Cont.……

27. 27
Lnoutput Coef. Std. Err. T P>|t|
Constant 3.59 0.690 5.21 0.000***
Sex 0.241 0 .071 3.37 0.001***
Ln(age) 0.06 0.107 0.56 0.575
Ln(educlevel) -0.054 0.025 -2.16 0.032**
Ln(prodbirr) -0.069 0.034 -2.05 0.042**
Ln(offfarmbirr) 0.009 0.007 1.30 0.196
Ln(adultequiva) 0.071 0.037 1.93 0.055 *
Ln(cultivatedland) 0.723 0.119 6.07 0.000***
Ln(oxenpower) -0.076 0.053 -1.43 0.154
Ln(imprseed) 0.068 0.032 2.13 0.035 **
Ln(locseed) -0.004 0.026 -0.14 0.890
Ln(fertitotal) 0.142 0.068 2.10 0.037**
Ln(agrochemical) 0.037 0.009 3.74 0.000***
Ln(extcontact) 0.012 0.032 0.39 0.699
Amountborro -0.071 0.055 -1.29 0.200
Marketinfprice 0.135 0.057 2.34 0.020**
Memcooper -0.002 0.044 -0.06 0.956
Cont.……
Determinants of potato production in the study area were identified by estimating
multiple log-log regression that appropriately fits the survey data.

28. 28
 Determinants of potato production in the study area were identified by
estimating multiple log-log regression that appropriately fits the survey
data.
 Findings show that potato output was responsive to the variables that are
the key factors influencing potato production are sex of farm household
head , education level, household farm income, adult equivalent, cultivated
potato land size, improved seed, amount of fertilizer, agrochemicals used,
and access to the market.
Cont.……

29. 29
Sex of household head(Sex):
 Positive and statistically significant at a 1% level of significance
(significantly and positively as hypothesized contributes to potato
production).
 Being a male head of a household significantly increases potato
production by 0.24 quintals as compared to female-headed
households,(male household head, is more productive than the female
household head) keeping other factors constant.
 Male-headed households have the better financial capability, better land
size, better extension contacts, and better access to market information
than female-headed households).
Education level of households head (Educlevel):
 Negatively and significant at 5% level of significance
 Result implies that an increase in household head’s education year by 1%
results in a decrease of potato output by 0.054 %, all other factors held

30. 30
Cont.……
 Despite the importance of education in increasing potato production
and productivity as hypothesized, surprisingly, its effect was
negatively significant in this study.
 Participate in/shift to other professions may farm income and off-farm
income enterprises (poor access to market)
Farm Income(Prodbirr):
 An increase in household farm income had a negative effect on potato
production which negatively contributes to potato yield as contrary to
what is hypothesized.
 Negatively and significant at 5% level of significance.
 Even though, also the importance of farm income in increasing potato
production and productivity as hypothesized, surprisingly, its effect
was negatively significant in this study.

31. 31
Cont.……
 Result implies that an increase in income of household head’s from other
farm activities by 1% results in a decrease of potato output by 0.069%,
all other factors held constant.
 Farmers who have better other farm income also reduced their time for
potato management practices. Shift to the other farm and off-farm
activity(crop and livestock enterprises which are more profitable(high
seed price and poor access to market)
Land size allocated for potato production
(Cultivatedland):
 Positive and significant at a 1% level
 Contributed significantly and positively as hypothesized
 Implies that one-hectare additional land allocated for potato production
would increase potato yield by 0.723 quintals, keeping other factors
constant.

32. 32
Cont.……
 The reason behind it could be access to more arable land that encourages
farmers to produce more potatoes.
 Significant at a 1% level of significance, indicating the relevance of plot
size on potato production in the study area.
 This could be due to the large plot size motivating the adoption of
innovations which can translate into higher output.
Labor (Adultequivalent):
 Positive and significant at a 10% level of significance
 Implies that a unit increase in the use of labor will increase the output of
potatoes by 0.071Qt.
 Contributed significantly and positively as hypothesized
 From the partial elasticity, on average a 1% increase in the amount of
labor, will increase potato output by 0.071% .

33. 33
Cont.……
 Also emphasizes the importance of human capital development for
higher productivity and growth.
 Implies that as potato is a labor-intensive activity, larger family size
provides higher labor to undertake potato production and management
activities easily which in turn increases potato yield.
Fertilizer(fertitotal):
 Positive and statistically significant at a 5% level of significance
 Implies as the amount of fertilizer increases by a unit, the yield of potato
increases by 0.14 Qt.
 Contributed significantly and positively as hypothesized to potato yield.
 This might be due to farmers in the study area using DAP and UREA
fertilizer which provides the crop with required minerals that translated
to increased output

34. 34
Cont.……
 On average, by increasing the quantity of fertilizer by 1% the level of
output of potato will increase by a margin of 0.14%.
 This suggests that increasing the amount of fertilizer (DAP and UREA)
used would contribute to higher potato yields in the study area.
Improved potato seed (imprdseed):
 Positively and significant at a 5% level of significance
 Significantly and positively as hypothesized contributes to potato yield
implies households that used the improved seed of potato could possibly
increase potato output by 0.068 Qt than those used local type of seed
indicating the importance of high yielding seed varieties in potato
production.
 This indicates that a 1% increase in the quantity of seed used will result,
on average, in a 0.068% increase in potatoes.

35. 35
Cont.……
 The greater use of seed increases plant population and thus increases
yield.
 This suggests that the more improved seeds a farmer was able to plant on
the farm, the higher were the potato outputs
Agrochemical used(agrochemical):
 Positive and significant at a 1% level of significance
 Implies as the amount of agrochemicals increases by a unit, the yield of
potato increases by 0.037 Qt.
 From the result, a 1% increase in the quantity of agrochemical used was
on average, resulting in an increase of 0.037 percent potato output

36. 36
Access to market(marketinfoprice):
 Positively and significant at a 5% level of significance
 Implies that an increase in access to a market of households by one unit
results in an increase of potato output by 0.135 Qt which is access to
market contributed significantly and positively as hypothesized to potato
yield
 The coefficient of access to the market was positive and significantly
increased potato yield -finding of the study suggests that market access
exhibits other effects beyond the intensification effects of potato
production (obtaining and verifying information and market price helps to
produce more).
 Potato is one of the preferred commercial/cash crops in the study area and
any improvements in market access are likely to encourage productivity
enhancements(infrastructure development will likely create additional
benefits for potato production).
 The study findings also indicate that poor market access is a significant
constraint to potato productivity improvement.

37. 37
3.2.3. Input elasticity and returns to scale
 Determination of elasticity is necessary for the estimation of the
responsiveness of output to inputs.
 The values of the coefficients of the result indicate the elasticity of the
various inputs to the output.
 The results of the log-log Cobb-Douglas stochastic production function
showed that labor, potato plot, the amount of improved seed, fertilizer,
and agrochemicals inputs were found to be important variables in
increasing the productivity of potato.

38. 38
3.3. Opportunities and constraints of Potato
Production
3.3.1. Opportunities of Potato Production
 Favorable weather conditions suitable for potato production( altitude above 1500
m.a.s level and altitude of the district ranges from 600-2880 m above sea level)
 According to sample survey data indicates potato farmers were
 Used organic fertilizer on an average of 87.51 Qt per ha besides using inorganic
fertilizer.
 High demand for improved seed variety and fertilizer generally agricultural
technology .
 Productivities of potatoes in the district were averagely 162.128 Qt/ha (16.2
ton/ha) -a significant increment of productivities compared to the productivities of
80 Qt/ha (8 ton/ha) in the year 2018/19 even though the productivities of potato
were low when compared with 40 ton/ha under research condition.

39. 39
Cont.……
 This study is in line with the findings of previous researches which states
that the current potato yield in the country is much lower than the
potential. Result further attests that the major opportunities- good weather
conditions, potato production by cluster means of production, cooperative
marketing so as to improve the market condition, and high demand for
agricultural technologies.
3.3.2. Challenges/Constraints Facing Potato Farmers
 Constraints- potato production and input levels used and access to support
services (access to extension services , credit, market, and membership to
cooperative ).
 The major constraints of potato production
high seed price -is the most important factor that limits access to
improved seed varieties that is poor access to improved seed
varieties which is the most important constraint to seed purchases,

40. 40
Cont.……
uncertified seed of unknown origin supplied by traders, unavailability
of quality seed at the right time,
lack of credit,
 lack of irrigation,
poor input supply such as chemicals and fertilizers,
lack of modern storage, lack of transport/road facility,
low potato price,
poor linkage with value chain actors, exploitation by middlemen,
lack of market access and lack of cooperative which potato sells to
the buyers cooperative only provide fertilizer in the study area.
Further, results revealed that inadequate rainfall is the major problem faced
by potato farmers( rain-fed production). While poor extension services,
inadequate storage/processing facilities and inadequate credit and markets,
and pests and diseases were the constraints/challenges in the district.

41. 41
4. SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1. Summary and Conclusion
 The results indicated that 178 (90.82%) of the sampled potato farmers
respondents were male potato farmers and 18 (9.18%) were female
household heads, farmers.
 The mean/average age of the potato producer household heads in the
sample was 38 years old with 8.19 years standard deviation. The data
indicated that the majority of farm household head ages were between 22-
50 (93.88%).
 The results revealed that the mean potato output/yield was around 33.81
Qt/ha. The results further revealed that farmers were applying fewer
amounts of fertilizer than the recommended rates per ha. The low levels of
use of fertilizer were found to be one of the reasons for the low
yields/output of potatoes harvested in the study area.

42. 42
Cont.…….
 The quantities of seeds applied per ha were found to have a mean value of
1524.159 kg/ha and which is nearly equal in accordance with the
recommended potato seed planting rates per ha in the study area.
 Results of the Cobb Douglas model showed that improved seed, fertilizer
and access to the market were positively and statistically significant at a
5% , while sex of the household head, cultivated land, and agrochemicals
used in the production of potato in the study area was positively and
statistically significant at 1% and labor was positively and statistically
significant at 10% while education level and farm income were negatively
and statistically significant at 5% confidence level and hence these
significant variables are determinants of potato production in the study
area and related to inputs elasticity coefficients of 0.068, 0.14, 0.72, 0.037
and 0.071 respectively. Thus, a 1 % increase in fertilizer, labor, and
herbicides applied per ha would result in an increase, on average, of 0.068,
0.14, 0.72, 0.037, and 0.071 % of potato output per ha, respectively.

43. 43
Cont.…….
 An increased amount of improved seed in kilograms applied per ha,
fertilizer in kilograms applied per ha and increased labor, cultivated land
in ha as well as increased agrochemicals applications are likely to result in
an increased amount of potato output in the study area.
 Thus, the increase in potato yield in the study area requires production
intensification of inputs improved seed, fertilizer, land, agrochemicals, and
labor. All the independent input variables in the model had positive
regression coefficients indicating a direct positive relationship between the
inputs and potato output.
 The study further revealed that inadequate rainfall, poor extension
services, pests and diseases, inadequate storage/processing facilities, and
inadequate credit, and lack of market access were constraints/challenges
limiting potato productivity levels in the study area.

44. 44
4.2. Recommendations
 Based on the above results, the policymakers could assist in improving
potato production and yield/output;
 The study confirmed that there is an indication of great potential for
potato productivity improvement in utilizing the existing experiences of
smallholder farmers and demonstration of improved potato technologies.
The positive and statistical significance of major inputs such as potato
plot, improved seed, fertilizer(DAP, Urea), labor, and agrochemicals used
were showed that the importance of these inputs in smallholder farmers
implying better access and use of these inputs could lead to higher potato
production and productivity in the study area. Enhancing the productivity
of these factors of production is necessary.
 should work on improving the production and productivity of farm
households by giving special emphasis to significant factors of the study.
 should focus more on timely supply of DAP, Urea, and good quality of
improved seed and agrochemicals .

45. 45
Cont.……..
 should supply inputs to potato farmers at subsidized rates especially
improved seeds to promote correct application rates.
 There is a need for to create an institutional environment that facilitates
reliable access to markets which is an adequate market with effective
stable prices for the product of potato farmers coupled with suitable
storage facilities, access to extension services, access to credit services,
and access to membership to cooperative for farmers.
 Additionally, there is a need to improve socio-economic variables such as
education level and farm income which is through providing training and
educational packages to improve crop management practices, and thereby
the farmers' production and productivity.
 Further, there is a need to implement that aim to empower female farmers
through better education, information, and decision-making to improve
product and productivity of potato production.

46. Thank you
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