Innovation Opportunities in Potato Production in Rwanda
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Date
2018-05
Authors
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Publisher
Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
Abstract
Whereas Irish potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a major staple food in many countries, it is one of
the priority value chain crops under the CIP in Rwanda. The crop is more important in the
northern and northwestern than other parts of Rwanda. After plantain and cassava, potato is the
third most important staple cultivated by 52.9% of the households in Rwanda. With potato yields
at 12mt/ha comparatively favored by rich volcanic soils and high altitudes, Rwanda is the second
largest producer of potatoes in the EAC after Kenya and third largest in SSA. This research is
aimed at highlighting the potential innovation opportunities for increased potato production in
Rwanda. Irish potato has short growth cycles and can easily be integrated into existing
agricultural systems, and stored relatively easily. It has excellent nutritional content and is a good
source of dietary energy and micronutrients. Notwithstanding, potato production in Rwanda is
faced with various constraints among which pests and diseases, limited land sizes, and high
production costs (for pesticides and seeds) are major. Potato VCA conducted at the Gataraga
Potato IP indicated that small-holder farmers were the main players in producing Irish potatoes
and marketed by retailers in local markets and urban areas including Kigali. In spite of potato
production seemingly looking attractive in Rwanda, innovation opportunities exist that can uplift
and expand the VC for enhanced socio-economic benefits of the VC actors. These opportunities
include but not limited to increasing farm level productivity, introducing processing of potatoes,
and stabilizing farm prices through establishing appropriate business models. The expected new
business model would builds on existing farmer institutional frameworks such as the IP
cooperative society and IP potato company with the RAB engagements, and potential credit
institutions, extension service providers, buyers and processors. Such an arrangement is likely to
ease constraints of high production costs and unsecure markets, while improving farm-level
productivity
Description
Research paper on Innovation Opportunities in Potato Production in Rwanda
Keywords
Irish potato, Rwanda, Gataraga Potato IP, VCA, Innovation opportunities
Citation
Mugabo, J., Nyamwaro, S.O., Kalibwani, R., Tenywa, M.M., Buruchara, R. and Fatunbi, A.O. (2018). Innovation Opportunities in Potato Production in Rwanda. FARA Research Reports Vol 2 (16): pp 15