Abstract
Increased productivity of potatoes can improve the livelihood of smallholder potato farmers in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia and is required to meet the growing demand. This paper investigates the opportunities for potato system improvement that could result in improved productivity. Through a diagnosis of the potato systems in the three countries on the basis of surveys and stakeholder workshops, seed potato quality management, bacterial wilt control, late blight control and soil fertility management were identified as key technical intervention topics. For effective problem solving in these areas, the functioning of the potato innovation system requires improvement to better deliver the functions of potato marketing as well as knowledge development and information exchange. With use of a ‘system failure framework’ the shortcomings of the potato innovation system are identified and discussed and options for improvement are suggested.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Benin S, Nkonya E, Okecho G, Pender J, Nahdy S, Mugarura S, Kayobyo G (2007) Assessing the impact of the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) in the Uganda rural livelihoods. International Food Policy Research Institute, Addis Ababa
Biggs S, Smith G (1998) Beyond methodologies: coalition-building for participatory technology development. World Dev 26:239–248. doi:10.1016/S0305-750X(97)10041-9
Biggs S, Matsaert H (1999) An actor-oriented approach for strengthening research and development capabilities in natural resource systems. Public Adm Dev 19:231–262. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1099-162X(199908) 19:3<231::AID-PAD71>3.0.CO;2-E
Campilan D (2002) Linking social and technical components of innovation through social learning. The case of potato disease management in Nepal. In: Leeuwis C, Pyburn R, Röling N (eds) Wheelbarrows full of frogs: social learning in rural resource management. Koninklijke Van Gorcum, Assen, pp 135–146
Chambers R (1983) Rural development: putting the last first. Longman, London
Douthwaite B (2002) Enabling innovation: a practical guide to understanding and fostering technological change. Zed Books, London
Elzen B, Wieczorek A (2005) Transitions towards sustainability through system innovation. Technol Forecast Soc Change 72:651–661. doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2005.04.002
Engel PGH (1997) The social organization of innovation: a focus on stakeholder interaction. Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam
FAOSTAT (2006) FAOSTAT- ProdSTAT module, crops. http://faostat.fao.org/site/567/default.aspx
FAOSTAT (2007) FAOSTAT- ProdSTAT module, crops. http://faostat.fao.org/site/567/default.aspx
Fuglie KO (2007) Priorities for potato research in developing countries: results of a survey. Am J Potato Res 84:353–365
Geels FW (2005) Processes and patterns in transitions and system innovations: refining the co-evolutionary multi-level perspective. Technol Forecast Soc Change 72:681–696. doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2004.08.014
Geels FW, Schot J (2007) Typology of sociotechnical transition pathways. Res Policy 36:399–417. doi:10.1016/j.respol.2007.01.003
Gildemacher P, Demo P, Kinyae P, Nyongesa M, Mundia P (2007a) Selecting the best plants to improve seed potato. LEISA Mag 23:10–11
Gildemacher PR, Landeo J, Kakuhenzire R, Wagoire W, Nyongesa M, Tessera M, Bouwe N, Bararyenya A, Hakazimana B, Senkesha N, Gashabuka E, Muhinyuza J, Forbes G, Lemaga B (2007b) How to integrate resistant variety selection and spray regime research for IPM of potato late blight in eastern and central Africa. In: 7th triennial African Potato Association conference. African Potato Association, Alexandria, pp 84–92
Gildemacher PR, Maina P, Nyongesa M, Kinyae P, Gebremedhin W, Lema Y, Damene B, Shiferaw T, Kakuhenzire R, Kashaija I, Musoke C, Mudiope J, Kahiu I, Ortiz O (2009a) Participatory analysis of the potato knowledge and information system in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. In: Sanginga PC, Waters-Bayer A, Kaaria S, Njuki J, Wettasinha C (eds) Innovation Africa: enriching farmers’ livelihoods. Earthscan, London, pp 153–167
Gildemacher PR, Demo P, Barker I, Kaguongo W, Woldegiorgis G, Wagoire WW, Wakahiu M, Leeuwis C, Struik PC (2009b) A description of seed potato systems in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia. Am J Potato Res. doi:10.1007/s12230-009-9092-0
Hall A, Rasheed Sulaiman V, Clark N, Yoganand B (2003) From measuring impact to learning institutional lessons: an innovation systems perspective on improving the management of international agricultural research. Agric Syst 78:213–241. doi:10.1016/S0308-521X(03)00127-6
Hoeffler H, Maingi G (2005) Rural-urban linkages in practice: promoting agricultural value chains. Entwickling und Ländlicher Raum 2005, 5:26–28
Klerkx L, Leeuwis C (2008) Matching demand and supply in the agricultural knowledge infrastructure: Experiences with innovation intermediaries. Food Policy 33:260–276. doi:10.1016/j.foodpol.2007.10.001
Leeuwis C (2000) Reconceptualizing participation for sustainable rural development: towards a negotiation approach. Dev Change 31:931–959. doi:10.1111/1467-7660.00184
Leeuwis C (2004) Fields of conflict and castles in the air. Some thoughts and observations on the role of communication in public sphere innovation processes. J Agric Educ Ext 10:63–76. doi:10.1080/13892240485300111
Lekasi JK, Tanner JC, Kimani SK, Harris PJC (2003) Cattle manure quality in Maragua District, central Kenya: effect of management practices and development of simple methods of assessment. Agric Ecosyst Environ 94:289–298. doi:10.1016/S0167-8809(02)00037-3
Lemaga B, Kakuhenzire R, Kassa B, Ewell P, Priou S (2005) Integrated control of potato bacterial wilt in eastern Africa: the experience of African highlands initiative. In: Allen C, Prior P, Hayward A (eds) Bacterial wilt disease and the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex. American Phytopathological Society, St Paul, pp 145–157
Low JW (1997) Potato in southwest Uganda: threats to sustainable production. Afr Crop Sci J 5:395–412
Lundvall B-Å, Johnson B, Andersen ES, Dalum B (2002) National systems of production, innovation and competence building. Res Policy 31:213–231. doi:10.1016/S0048-7333(01)00137-8
Nyankanga RO, Wien HC, Olanya OM, Ojiambo PS (2004) Farmers' cultural practices and management of potato late blight in Kenya highlands: implications for development of integrated disease management. Int J Pest Manage 50:135–144. doi:10.1080/09670870410001691812
Scott GJ, Rosegrant MW, Ringler C (2000) Global projections for root and tuber crops to the year 2020. Food Policy 25:561–597. doi:10.1016/S0306-9192(99)00087-1
Struik PC, Wiersema SG (1999) Seed potato technology. Wageningen University Press, Wageningen
Turkensteen LJ (1987) Survey of diseases and pests in Africa: fungal and bacterial diseases. Acta Hortic 213:151–159
Vanlauwe B, Giller KE (2006) Popular myths around soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa. Agric Ecosyst Environ 116:34–46. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2006.03.016
Wakahiu MW, Gildemacher PR, Kinyua ZM, Kabira JN, Kimenju AW, Mutitu EW (2007) Occurrence of potato bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in Kenya and opportunities for intervention. In: 7th triennial African Potato Association conference. African Potato Association, Alexandria, pp 267–271
Woolthuis RK, Lankhuizen M, Gilsing V (2005) A system failure framework for innovation policy design. Technovation 25:609–619. doi:10.1016/j.technovation.2003.11.002
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gildemacher, P.R., Kaguongo, W., Ortiz, O. et al. Improving Potato Production in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia: A System Diagnosis. Potato Res. 52, 173–205 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-009-9127-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-009-9127-4