Sweet Potato Farmers Research Articles

The dynamics of smallholder farmers\u2019 acquisition and distribution of sweetpotato vines in the Lake Victoria Zone Region, Tanzania

This paper offers new insights into smallholder farmer’s practices regarding acquisition and distribution of sweetpotato planting material in the Mwanza and Mara regions of Tanzania by examining three specific issues: (i) farmers’ sources of planting material; (ii) factors that influence farmers’ sourcing of planting materials outside their own farms and (iii) the types of transactions and social relations involved in farmers’ acquisition and distribution of sweetpotato planting material. Data were collected using mixed methods, including a survey of 621 households across nine districts, semi-structured key informant interviews with 28 women sweetpotato farmers, and six focus group discussions. Findings show that farmers in the study area rely almost exclusively on informal seed systems, and that the majority (> 56%) produce their own planting material. Individual, household and community level factors influence farmers’ acquisition of planting materials outside their own farms. The sources and mode of transaction related to acquisition/distribution of planting material are strongly influenced by the type of social relationship between the parties involved. Strong social ties facilitate the majority of local planting material acquisitions/distributions, and favor provision of locally available planting material as a gift/without payment. Weak social ties are primarily associated with the transaction modality of purchase/sale, and frequently help facilitate acquisition of new or exotic planting material. The findings provide entry points both for entities that seek to enhance small-scale farmers’ access to improved, high quality sweetpotato germplasm, as well as broader efforts to strengthen research and development strategies for integrating formal and informal seed systems.

Limitations and Processing Technologies of Sweet Potato Production by Farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria

The study examined limitations and processing technologies of sweet potato production by farmers in Anambra State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling techniques were used for the study. Four local governments out of the 21 local governments in the State were purposely selected due to their popularity in sweet potato production. Two communities were selected from each local government to give a total of 8 communities that were used for the study. Fifteen (15) sweet potato farmers were selected from each community using simple random sampling technique and this gave a total sample size of 120 farmers. Data were generated through a structured interview schedule. Out of 120 questionnaires distributed, only 100 were retrieved and used for analysis. Percentage, frequency, mean score and standard deviation were used for data analysis. Results show that 79% of the farmers were female and their mean age was 38 years. Majority (58%) of the farmers were not aware of the technologies introduced to them while, some farmers were aware of the innovation. None of the farmers adopted the technologies. Too much attention on other crops with a weighted mean score 2.74, high perishability of sweet potato with a weighted mean score 2.63, inadequate finance with a weighted mean score 2.60, pest/disease infestation (2.48), high cost of sweet potato processing equipment (2.48) farmers' low knowledge on sweet potato value Chain (2.45), in adequate extension services with a weighted mean score 2.42 were identified by the farmers as the major constraints to sweet potato production technologies in the study area.

Effect of Farmers’ Multidimensional Beliefs on Adoption of Biofortified Crops: Evidence from Sweetpotato Farmers in Tanzania

We examined the effect of multidimensional farmers’ beliefs on the likelihood of cultivating planting materials of biofortified orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP) varieties. Using a panel dataset and combining difference-in-differences regression with propensity score matching, results showed positive effects of beliefs related to health benefits, yielding ability, sweetness, disease-resistance, storability, early maturity, colour, and that children enjoy eating OFSP roots, on cultivation of OFSP varieties. The proportion of OFSP roots out of total sweetpotato production for a household increased among farmers’ who held these beliefs. Efforts to promote biofortified crops can, therefore, benefit from taking farmers’ multidimensional beliefs into consideration.

Profitability Gap Analysis of Sweetpotato Production in Ghana: Evidence from Sweetpotato Farmers and Traders

Profitability Gap Analysis of Sweetpotato Production in Ghana: Evidence from Sweetpotato Farmers and Traders

Pathways from research on improved staple crop germplasm to poverty reduction for smallholder farmers

Innovations to improve staple crop germplasm can reduce poverty and otherwise improve farmer livelihoods through complex and multiple pathways. This paper reviews the evidence for one prominent pathway—through increased incomes (in cash and kind) for poor farmers who adopt the technology.An important determinant of poverty reduction is the ability of poor producers to adopt productivity-enhancing varieties, and the paper analyzes recent household-level data from two African countries to examine if poor producers face unique barriers to adoption. A second determinant of poverty reduction is the area available to plant these varieties and whether the intensity of adoption is great enough to significantly reduce poverty. The paper uses a double-hurdle estimation framework to model the adoption/area planted joint decision for maize farmers in Ethiopia and sweet potato farmers in Uganda. The focus of the analysis is the effect of poverty-related variables on adoption/area planted decisions. Farmer wealth, landholding, education, location, and access to support and information services are included to understand how correlates of poverty affect adoption decisions.We find evidence that landholding size is an important barrier to poverty reduction; poor farmers are able to adopt improved varieties, but their intensity is constrained by land availability. In Uganda, farmers at the 95th percentile of adoption area received about $0.13 per person per day from the incremental yield, covering <50% of the mean household poverty gap. This gain only comes under optimistic assumptions and most adopters do not have sufficient area for the direct income effect to be large. The evidence suggests that direct, short-term impacts of increased productivity to increased income may be limited in magnitude. Nonetheless, we recognize that other, less direct pathways may be important, particularly over longer times. Impacts through indirect pathways are, however, more difficult to measure. This has implications for the design of M&E and the crafting of appropriate targets for outcomes of research on staple crops which should focus perhaps on the other pathways where poverty reduction is more probable.

Perceptions on climate change and adaptation strategies among sweet potato farming households in Kwara State, Northcentral Nigeria

Sweet potato is a food security crop with ease of production and ability to produce relatively good yields even on marginal soils. Despite these potentials, its yields have drastically reduced in recent years relative to what it used to be in the 60’s and 90’s. This is not unconnected with climate change, among other factors. This study therefore examines the perceptions of sweet potato farming households on climate change, the strategies employed and factors influencing their adaptation to its effects. Data were collected from 170 sweet potato farming households in Kwara State, Nigeria and analyzed with descriptive statistics, index ranking and logistic regression. Results showed that most of the farmers were aware of climate change and use different strategies to combat its deleterious effects. Factors that positively influence the farmers’ adaptation status were educational status, farming experience, farm size and access to agricultural extension services while age had a negative influence on their adaptation status (at p < 0.05). Therefore, policies that will promote literacy and access to extension services among farming households and also encourage young people to practise sweet potato farming should be put in place.

A Survey of farmers’ perceptions and management strategies of the sweet potato weevil in Homa Bay County, Kenya

Sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas L.) is one of the most widely grown root crops worldwide. In Africa, it is grown in small plots by poorer farmers. Production of the crop is extremely low in Kenya as compared to other African countries due to the existence of common insect pests. Sweet potato weevil ( Cylas spp.) is known as the biggest pit fall for production and productivity of the crop in the country. This study sought to determine the opinion of sweet potato farmers concerning sweet potato resistance to Cylas spp. and determine control strategies employed by sweet potato farmers in managing the pest. The study also sought to determine the sweet potato production constraints faced by the farmers in Homa Bay County, Kenya. The study was conducted using a Participatory Rural Appraisal approach in which 269 farmers in the County were interviewed on the sweet potato varieties with field resistance to Cylas spp., the crops’ production constraints (with emphasis on damage by Cylas spp.) and farmers’ control strategies in regard to the weevil. Data were also collected from the farmers whose sample size was determined using the table on sample size selection and standardization equation. Data were analysed using descriptive statistical techniques that were frequencies, percentages and standard errors. The study established that majority of the farmers from Rachuonyo (89.7%) and Ndhiwa (91.9%) were not aware of any variety that had field resistance to Cylas spp. However, 10.5% of the farmers in Rachuonyo and 8.1% of the farmers in Ndhiwa identified nine varieties which have shown relative field resistance to root damage by Cylas spp. The varieties that were identified to be resistant to Cylas spp. by farmers in Rachuonyo were Kalamb Nyerere, Tombra, Sinia, Odinga, Kemb 10, Wera and Zapallo. However, the varieties that were identified to be resistant to Cylas spp. by farmers in Ndhiwa were Amina, Mugande and Ndege Oyiejo. Further, the findings revealed that Cylas spp. was the most problematic pest by 90.3% and 96.8% of households in Rachuonyo and Ndhiwa, respectively. Majority (64.5%) of the farmers in Ndhiwa did not use any methods to manage Cylas spp. However, farmers in Rachuonyo (26.2%) and Ndhiwa (15.3%) preferred re-ridging during weeding as a management strategy in regard to Cylas spp. These findings reiterate the importance of the sweet potato weevil in rural sweet potato farming systems and thus innovative management strategies are necessary. Key words: Sweet potato, control strategies, Cylas spp., resistance, pest, variety, constraints

Analisis Pendapatan Usahatani Ubi Jalar (Ipomea batatas) dan Keragaan Penyuluhan Pada Kelompok Tani Hurip di Cikarawang, Dramaga, Bogor

This study was aimed at assessing the extension activities conducted in Hurip Farmer Group, Cikarawang Village, Dramaga District, Bogor Regency. It was also done to assess farmers’ income level and extension performa. A descriptive analysis was used. Respondents were farmers aged 26-60 years. They had various education and farming experience levels. They had elementary school education with 3-20 years farming experience, junior high school education with 5-10 farming experience, and senior high school education with 3-20 years farming experience. The average income gained by these farmers was Rp 9,850,000/1 ha with an income over cash cost of Rp5,675,000/1 ha. The R/C over cash cost value in this sweet potato farming business was 1.72 indicating that this business was profitable and feasible. It was concluded that extension activities in Hurip Farmert Group was done well and farmers’ income improvement-oriented. Key words: extension. farmer income, sweet potatoes

Analisis Pendapatan dan Efisiensi Teknis Usahatani Ubi Jalar di Kecamatan Ampek Angkek, Kabupaten Agam Provinsi Sumatera Barat

Production of commodity determined by effectiveness allocation of input. The level of input allocation will give impact to production and then farm income. This study was aimed to analyze the income of sweet potato farm, to identify factors those are effect the production of sweet potato, to analyze technical efficiency and factors of technical inefficiency of sweet potato’s farm. The data was gather from 40 sweet potato farmers in Ampek Angkek district regency of Agam West Sumatra. The result showed that the income of sweet potato farmers were IDR 24,659,314.18 with R/C ratio 1.8. The R/C ratio indicated that sweet potato farm was still feasible and profitable to be cultivate. Factors that effect the production of sweet potato were seeds, organic fertilizer, labor in the family, and labor outside the family. The average of technical efficiency rate was 0.85, which means that productivity of sweet potato farm achieved 85 percent from the maximum level. Meanwhile, the inefficiency can be reduce by membership of farm group, age, and land tenure.

Wound healing and dry matter content of orange-fleshed sweetpotato cultivars as influenced by curing methods

Abstract Curing in sweetpotato is a crucial pre- or postharvest practice that could guarantee improved shelf life,but rarely practised by sweetpotato farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa, principally due to lack of knowledge. Wound healing ability of cultivars has been associated with good root storability. In this study, two orange fleshed sweetpotato cultivars (Apomuden and Nane) were either cured in-ground by dehaulming prior to harvest or field-piled over a seven-day period to study their responses to wound healing and changes in dry matter content. Apomuden is a low dry matter content(19%) variety in Ghana while Nane is a high dry matter content (27%) farmer cultivar under evaluation for formal release. A potato peeler was used to deliberately create the wounds on 21 storage roots. The curing treatment was applied and the subsequent post-treatment quality status of the storage roots was monitored daily over a seven-day period. Wound healing ability was scored as follows: 0 = no lignification, 0.5 = patchy lignification and1= complete lignification. Wound healing ability score was not significantly different for Apomuden and Nane (0.83,0.78, respectively; p = 0.120). However, storage roots curedby field-piled curing method resulted in significantly better wound healing ability than dehaulming (0.86, 0.75,respectively, p = 0.001). Over the seven-day curing period,Nane had a significantly higher and stable dry mattercontent compared with Apomuden (p = 0.008), whose dry matter content was lower and fluctuating. The field-piled curing resulted in higher (p = 0.020) dry matter content,24%, compared with in-ground curing (22%). The field piled curing method, which can easily be adopted by sweetpotato farmers, increased the dry matter content of the storage roots; therefore, it could potentially reduce the post-harvest losses in sweetpotato. The high dry matter content of Nane is a desirable root quality attribute for orange-fleshed cultivars and could augment existing cultivars in Ghana.

Determinants of sweet potato value addition among smallholder farming households in Kwara state, Nigeria

Sweet potato is an important food security promoted crop in Nigeria. The recognition of its relative health benefits has resulted in fresh consumption as well as the utilization of processed products such as sweet potato chips, fries and pre-cut, flour, and pureed sweet potatoes. This study examined the determinants of sweet potato value addition among smallholder farmers in Kwara. A multi- stage sampling techniques was used to obtain information from 163 small holder farmers in Offa and Oyun local government areas of Kwara state. Descriptive statistics and Heckman two-stage model were used to analyse the data. The results indicate that 44% of the respondents were involved mainly in slicing and sun-drying; 39% took part in slicing, sun-drying and grinding into flour, while the main value adding activity of 15% of them was slicing and frying into chips. The results of the Heckman two-stage model showed that training and quantity of sweet potato harvested significantly increased farmers’ decision to add value by 0.494 units and 0.003 units respectively. Furthermore, membership of association extension visits and access to credit significantly increased farmers’ level of value addition to sweet potato by 1.301units, 0.821 units and 15.350 units respectively. Also, household size decreased the level of value addition by 2.174 units. For sweet potato farmers to be fully involved in value addition of their produce, loan packages, increase in extension outreaches, training and sensitization on birth control measures are necessary policy options.

Performance Analysis of Small Scale Sweet Potato Farms in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract This study carried out an analysis of the performance of sweet potato production among small holder farmers in Oyo State of Nigeria. A combination of purposive and a two-stage random sampling technique were used to obtain information from 65 respondents. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, stochastic frontier functions and budgetary technique. Results indicated that majority of the farmers were literate, aged 43.3 years on the average, full time in sweet potato production and with mean farm size of 1.0 hectare. The gross margin and net profit were ₦76, 884.8 and ₦67,292.8, respectively (₦, naira Nigerian Currency, ₦160 = 1$US) indicating that sweet potato production was profitable. The return to scale (RTS) for the production function revealed that farmers operated in the irrational zone (stage I) of the production surface. The stochastic production frontier analysis revealed that the technical efficiencies of farmers was found to be fairly high with a mean of 0.92% which suggest that the average sweet potato output falls 0.08% short of the maximum possible level but the efficiency can be increased by better use of available resources.

A Descriptive Study of Body Pain and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Latino Farmworkers Working on Sweet Potato Farms in Eastern North Carolina

ABSTRACTAgricultural work is a physically demanding occupation. The purpose of this project was to describe the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and self-reported pain among Latino farmworkers who work extensively hand harvesting sweet potatoes. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of farmworkers (N = 120) in eastern North Carolina. Univariate and bivariate analyses were used to describe personal, work characteristics, and self-reported pain associated with musculoskeletal injuries. Overall, 79% of farmworkers reported any type of pain or discomfort. The highest reported areas of pain were in the back (66%) and shoulder areas (31%). Younger participants experienced more shoulder pain (P = .04) than older workers, and working more than 5 years as a farmworker was significantly associated with back pain (P = .01). Interventions aimed at administrative and engineering controls for reducing risk factors that contribute to WMSDs are warranted.

Invertebrate pests and diseases of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas): a review and identification of research priorities for smallholder production

Sweetpotato has been the subject of little research worldwide compared with other major crop staples, and this is especially so for less developed countries where sweetpotato is critical for food security. This review synthesises information on plant protection issues that affect smallholder sweetpotato farmers in less developed countries to identify major issues and suggest research priorities. Though the pests and diseases of sweetpotato in less developed countries are largely common to industrialised systems, their relative importance differs and losses tend to be more severe as a result of differing agronomic practices and relative unavailability of management options and technical support that are important in developed countries. Smallholders are heavily reliant on cultural practices such as traditional forms of biological control using ants and livestock, fallowing and composting (sometimes with plant materials having biocidal properties). Crop protection methods that have been developed for use in sweetpotato production in developed countries, such as pathogen-tested planting material, early maturing varieties, pheromone trapping and pesticides are less accessible to, and relevant for, smallholders. Smallholders also typically harvest a given crop progressively which extends the period over which storage roots are potentially vulnerable to attack but reduces the risk of post-harvest losses. Human population growth in developing countries is leading to an increase in cropping intensity with shorter fallow periods and more years of continuous crops. This has the dual effect of depleting soil nutrients and increasing the potential for pest and pathogen build-up. Associated with this, the adoption of strategies to manage crop nutrition, such as not burning crop residues, promote carryover of pests and pathogen inocula. As a consequence of these factors, sweetpotato yield losses from diseases, especially viruses, and pests, particularly weevils, can be high. Climate change is likely to result in more frequent drought and this will increase losses caused by sweetpotato weevils that are favoured by dry conditions. This review of sweetpotato pests and their management options concludes with suggestions for some future research priorities including the combination of traditional practices that have pest management outcomes with relevant practices from industrial production that are able to be transferred or modified for use in smallholder production. Increased technical support for decision making and diagnostics, including molecular approaches that have scope for field use, will be important in reducing the burden imposed by biotic threats to this important global crop.

Technical Efficiency of Small-holder Sweetpotato Farmers in Southeast Agro-ecological Zone of Nigeria

The paper investigated the level of technical efficiency and its determinants in sweetpotato production in South-East agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. A multistage random sampling technique was used in the selection of states and respondents. Two states, Abia and Enugu were randomly selected from the five states of south-east agro-ecological zone (Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States). 120 respondents were randomly selected (60 respondents from each state). Data collecting instrument was a well-structured questionnaire. Stochastic frontier production function Original Research Article

Synergistic Effect of Photosynthetic Bacteria and Isolated Bacteria in Their Antifungal Activities against Root Rot Fungi.

Antifungal bacteria (AB) in root rot fungus (RRF)-contaminated sweet potato farms were isolated, and seven strains were initially chosen as antagonistic candidates. An antagonistic test by using the mycelial disk placement method revealed that one AB strain by itself could inhibit the RRF growth. This AB strain was identified as Bacillus polyfermenticus based on phylogeny of 16S ribosomal RNA genes. Two AB strains (Bacillus aerophilus) displayed high levels of antifungal activity when paired with photosynthetic bacterial strain A (a purple nonsulfur photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas faecalis). The results suggest the possible use of the isolates as agents for the biological control of the RRF infection of agricultural products in fields of cultivation.

Seeds of Light, Flowers of Power, Fruits of Change

Ecowomanism focuses on the relationships between humans and nature through a spiritualized lens. Three core principles of ecowomanism are Livingkind (all living things are of a type), Aliveness (life pervades all creation, visible and invisible), and Luminosity (all living things are filled with light and spirit). Ecowomanism makes a unique, spiritually infused, ecological activist praxis possible. Three notable exemplars of this praxis are Sister Chan Khong (who established Sweet Potato Farm in France as part of her mindfulness-based peace activism), Kiran Bedi (who elevated the dignity of prisoners through her beautification of Tihar Jail/Ashram in India), and Wangari Maathai (who conscientized members of the Kenyan military by helping them to see the value of protecting the natural environment and planting trees as part of the Green Belt Movement).

Assessment of sweetpotato farming systems, production constraints and breeding priorities in eastern Tanzania

Sweetpotato is an important food security crop in Tanzania. The crop is grown under diverse farming systems with very low yields. The objective of this study was to assess the present sweetpotato farming systems, farmers’ preferences, production constraints and breeding priorities in eastern Tanzania. Participatory rural appraisal was conducted in the Gairo, Kilosa and Kilombero districts of the Morogoro region and Mkuranga district of the Coast region of Tanzania. Primary and secondary data were collected using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and field observations. The study showed that more than 94% of the respondents depended on farming for their livelihoods. Main sweetpotato production constraints were Sweetpotato virus disease (SPVD) and pests, drought, unavailability of markets and lack of transport, low prices, inadequate extension services and postharvest losses. Preferred sweetpotato attributes included high yield, high dry matter content, tolerance to diseases and early maturity. Farmers expressed their persuasive needs towards improved extension service delivery, SPVD-tolerant cultivars, and reliable and coordinated market systems for sweetpotatoes.

Farmers’ Knowledge on the Sweetpotato Cultivars Grown in the Teso Sub-Region, Uganda

&lt;p&gt;The farmers’ knowledge of the cultivars to use in increasing sweetpotato productivity is critically important. A study was carried out in the Teso Sub-region to investigate the role of education in sweet potato production. Using an ex post facto design, 24 out of 51 sub-counties were purposively selected applying district-county strata and used to determine the perceptions of sweetpotato farmers and of their agricultural advisers. Through interviews, observations and questionnaires, the survey covered 288 farmers randomly selected and a whole population of 33 agricultural advisers, while 329 community leaders purposively selected and farmers randomly selected were engaged in focus group discussions. A total of 650 persons participated. Data were collected on farmers’ knowledge of sweetpotato cultivars grown capturing selected attributes. Analysis of data was done qualitatively using open and axial coding and quantitatively using means, frequencies, percentages, ANOVA and multiple regressions at a confidence level of 0.05 (?). Using selected attributes, farmers identified 139 cultivars grown. The best performing cultivar was &lt;em&gt;Araka &lt;/em&gt;yielding a range of 19,001-29,000 kg/ha but was susceptible to the sweetpotato weevil and drought. &lt;em&gt;Araka &lt;/em&gt;also stores poorly as dried chips or sliced. The least performing cultivars were &lt;em&gt;Elany ikokolak, Epaku &amp;amp; Ocaka amani &lt;/em&gt;with yields below 5,000 kg/ha but less susceptible. Commercialising the crop with value addition, farmers need up-scaling of their scientific knowledge of cultivars and production as basis for better multiplification &amp;amp; selection of vines for higher yields needed in processing the crop for its several uses.&lt;/p&gt;

Connecting Students to the Community through Ergonomics Projects

April Heiselt, Mississippi State UniversityAt Mississippi State University, students participated in a service-learning project as part of the Industrial Ergonomics course in the department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. The project was completed with community partner, N &amp; W Farms. N &amp; W Farms is a sweet potato farm and distributor with operations including cleaning, sorting, packaging, and shipping sweet potatoes. These operations allowed students to apply their ergonomics and design skills learned in the course as well as acquire a better understanding for how engineering can be applied to benefit the community. This paper will showcase the tools used by the students for the project, a summary of how students applied those tools, and how successful students were when using these tools to find solutions to ergonomic and operations problems at N &amp; W Farms.