COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIROMENTAL SCINCE

DEPARTEMENT OF HORTICULTURE
A Review on production and productivt Potato (Solanum tuberosum
L.) Production
Situations in Ethiopia
Name ID

Summated to
Submation date
 Abstract

Ethiopia, with a population of about 81 million, is the second-most populous country in sub-Saharan
Africa. Food insecurity is a major and ever worsening problem. Potato has been considered as a strategic
crop by the Ethiopian government aiming at enhancing food security and economic benefits to the
country as, potato has a high potential to supply a cheap and quality food within a relatively short
period. Ethiopia is one of the principal potato producing countries in Africa. Central, Eastern, North-
Western and Southern regions, constitute approximately 83% of the potato farmers in the country.
Most of the available agricultural land is suitable for potato production. Keywords: Potato, Production,
Ethiopia.
 1. Introduction

1.1 Back ground of the study

About 85% of the Ethiopian population, residing in the rural area, is engaged in agricultural production
as a major means of livelihood. However, Ethiopian agriculture is characterized by low productivity and
over the last decades it has been unable to produce sufficient quantities to feed the rapidly growing
population of the country. In fact, natural calamities, food insecurity and famine seem to have become the
salient features and critical problems of the country . Ethiopia, with a population of about 81 million, is
the second-most populous country in sub-Saharan Africa. Food insecurity is a major and ever worsening
problem. Underlying causes include rapidly increasing population pressure, low productivity of the
agricultural sector, widespread environmental degradation and recurrent droughts . Potato is regarded as a
high-potential food security crop because of its ability to provide a high yield of high-quality product per
unit input with a shorter crop cycle . Potato can play an important role in improving food security and
cash income of smallholder potato growers in Ethiopia. As a food crop, potato has a high potential to
supply a cheap and quality food within a relatively short period. Potatoes are the perfect food and one of
the few that can actually sustain life on its own. Potato is a well-balanced major plant food with a good
ratio between proteins and calories, and has substantial amounts of vitamins, especially vitamin C,
minerals, and trace elements. Moreover, it has the correct balance of protein calories and total calories. It
is considered to be one of the cheapest sources of energy and the production of protein per unit land is the
highest among the four major food crops (rice, maize, wheat and potato) [4]. Potato has long been
regarded as a lowly subsistence crop and is still an under exploited food crop. Potato has huge potential to
improve food security, income and human nutrition and it is in Ethiopia where the potential of this crop is
increasingly being realized and explored by farmers, private investors, and policy makers. While, national
average yields are still far below attainable yields, ample opportunities exist to unleash this crop’s
potential for increased food security and income generation [5]. Potato has been considered as a strategic
crop by the Ethiopian government aiming at enhancing food security and economic benefits to the
country. As the population grows rapidly, increased productivity of potatoes can improve the livelihood
of smallholder potato farmers and is required to meet the growing demand [6]. The potato subsector is
potentially of great importance for pro-poor growth since it is the best option for many households to
generate income in Ethiopia. Potato production could fill the gap in food supply during the hungry
months of July to August before the grain crops are being harvested [7]. Ethiopia is one of the principal
potato producing countries in Africa and probably displays a unique position for having the highest
potential area for cultivating potatoes [8]. The result of this review study showed Ethiopian potentially for
potato production and factors affecting the production system. These consists lack of wide adaptive
improved potato varieties, unavailability of improved storage facilities, the high cost of improved seed
tuber, inappropriate agronomic practices, low price of produced tuber especially immediately during
harvest and lack of marketing and suitable post-harvest management facilities, pests and disease.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) contributes to world food security and has a critical role to play in
developing nations facing hunger. It supplements or replaces grain-based diets where rice, wheat, or
maize availability has lessened or price has become unaffordable [1]. Potato is also inexpensive to buy
and easy to grow. It can give stable yield under conditions where other crops might fail, suitable to grow
where land is limited and labor is plentiful [2]. Its plasticity to environmental conditions and yielding
capacity also make it the best crop for food and nutrition security [3]. Potato ranked fourth in the world in
terms of the volume of production after rice (Oryza sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and maize
(Zea mays L.) [4]. It is also the most important tuber crop, ranking first in volume produced among root
and tuber crops; it is followed by cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), sweet potato [Ipomoea Batatas (L.)
Lam], and yam (Dioscorea spp.) [5].

The demand for potatoes continues to increase in conjunction with expanding diet diversity, requests for
prepared food items, and a need for inexpensive foods. The ability to grow potatoes in a wide range of
climates and their adoption by a broad range of cultures has increased potato consumption worldwide [6].
Therefore, potato is currently the predominant vegetable in terms of sales, production, and consumption
[7]. It is the most important crop in developing countries, and its production is expanding more rapidly
than other food crops [8]. As a result, it is becoming an increasingly important source of rural
employment, income, and food for growing populations .

Potato is produced mostly for local consumption and local markets in Ethiopia and Cameroon. It might be
a very important crop in this region and accounting for per capita production values as low as zero in
some cases. Its production in Ethiopia, for example, is 0–45 kg per capita [10]. It is a crop that can be
used to improve food security and cash income in Ethiopia. Because it is high yielding ability in a short
season, presence of suitable agro ecological zones within the country, the availability of labor for its
production on large areas of land, and the accessibility of a potential market with considerable added
value for its produce [11]. According to FAOSTAT [12], area under potato cultivation was about 51,698
ha in 2005/6 that produced 509,716 tonnes of tuber yields; currently, in 2014/2015, area under potato crop
has increased to 67,362 ha and its productivity is about 921,832 tonnes in Ethiopia. Its national
productivity is 13.7 t ha−1 in the production years of 2014/2015 [12] which is still far less than that of
other countries such as New Zealand (50.2 t ha−1) and North America (41.2 t ha−1). Even yield potential
of potato has been reported to reach about 100 t ha−1 [13].

Potato is produced twice a year. The bulk production is during Belg (a short rain season, March–June)
season, whereas small production takes place during the Meher season (a long rain season, July–October)
in southern Ethiopia. Rural households in the potato-growing areas of this region have less than 1 ha [14].

According to CSA [15], mean potato farm in Wolaita zone was as small as 0.025 ha HH−1. During the
2014/2015 main production season, potato is the third important tuber crop in production volume next to
taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott] and sweet potato [Ipomoea Batatas (L.) Lam] in the zone. Its
productivity in the zone was 19 t ha−1 [15], which is a bit greater than its national productivity (13.7 t
ha−1).

Many constraints threaten production of potatoes on subsistence farms. As both its edible and
reproductive part of potato is the semi-perishable tuber, diseases can easily be accumulated with each
planting season and can dramatically reduce its yielding potential. Formal seed potato production systems
produce disease-free, laboratory-tested mini-tubers to provide quality planting materials. However, the
formal system in Ethiopia only accounts for 3% of seed produced [4]. It is also easily susceptible to
damage and cannot be stored longer conventionally. Several other constraints such as traditional potato
production system, shortage of clean seed tubers of improved varieties, limited knowledge on postharvest
handling of the produce, and poor technology transfer systems also hinder its productivity in the country
[4]. As a result, actual potato yields have been far below its potential yields in Ethiopia.

There is a little area-specific information on the production practices of potato in the study area.
Therefore, assessing potato production practices is important to identify the major constraints and tackle
the problems in the future. The objective of this survey was, therefore, to assess production practices of
potato by smallholder farmers in the zone to elucidate and document major constraints of producing the
crop.
 1.2.Statement of the problem

The area of land under potato is only 2.3% of the total area potentially suitable for potato

production. The productivity of potato is very low at about 10 Mg ha-1 (CSA, 2012). In

Ethiopia, potato growers allotted only about 10% of their total cultivated land (CSA, 2002) to

potato. Moreover, many farmers in the potato growing areas do not grow potatoes at all.

Therefore, an increase in the area under potato production can be achieved by:

i) increasing the proportion of area allotted to potato by existing potato farmers,

ii) expanding potato production to new farmers within potato growing areas, and

iii) introducing potatoes to new areas.

However, increases in production and productivity are constrained by many factors

among which poor quality of seed is the main one (Lemaga et al., 1994; Gildemacher et al.,

2009; International Potato Center, 2011). In Ethiopia, the majority of farmers use seed tubers

of local varieties that are saved from the previous harvest. These seed tubers are known for

high disease burden and poor genetic quality, and thus give low yield. Improved potato

varieties are less infected by diseases and are genetically superior to local varieties in terms of

disease resistance and yielding ability. However, the seed tubers of these varieties are

available only in a very small amount and to a small number of farmers mostly residing near

agricultural research institutions. Therefore, poor quality of seed potatoes of local varieties

and unavailability of seed tubers of improved varieties are major factors causing low

production and productivity of potatoes in Ethiopia (Gildemacher et al., 2009; International

Potato Center, 2011). These factors have both institutional and technical roots. For example

there is no formal institution that multiplies and distributes seed potatoes of improved

varieties except one Dutch PLC, Solagrow PLC (Solagrow PLC, 2011). Farmers also lack

knowledge on improved practices of potato production (Mulatu et al., 2005; Gildemacher et

al., 2009). To understand the constraints and to propose improvements in seed potato

production and productivity, a better knowledge of the seed potato system is needed. Seed

systems are ways in which farmers produce, select, save and acquire seeds (Sthapit et al.,

2008). Some studies have been undertaken on seed potato production in different parts of

5Chapter 1

Ethiopia (e.g., Mulatu et al., 2005; Guenthner, 2006; Gildemacher et al., 2009). These studies,

however, were limited in scope and did not provide a complete picture of the current state of

seed potato systems in Ethiopia.

Different local environmental conditions require different production methods to achieve

the “optimum” yield and quality of a product in a given situation (Mamo et al., 2003; Reece

and Sumberg, 2003; Jack, 2011; Yu et al., 2011). The cause for the low uptake of improved

potato varieties could be incompatibility of the recommended production method with the

local environmental conditions that vary in agro-ecology, soil type, managerial capability,

objectives of potato production (e.g. market or own use), and availability and access to inputs

and product markets. To increase the uptake of the released potato varieties, it is important to

identify alternative seed potato production methods that suit the local conditions of farmers,

especially their financial capacity to purchase inputs. Reluctance in the uptake of new
technologies can be more serious in a situation like in Ethiopia where markets for credit and

insurance are missing (Croppentedt et al., 2003; Yesuf and Bluffstone, 2007). To identify

alternative seed potato production methods, quantification of the costs and of contributions of

seed potato production and post harvest management attributes (e.g., storage method,

fungicide application frequency) to yield and quality is needed.

In Ethiopia, different potato varieties are grown in different seasons for diverse types of

end users. Many farmers grow local potato varieties for multiple purposes, i.e. for home use

as ware and seed, for sale as ware and seed. Other farmers grow local varieties in a large

amount to sell as ware. Improved potato varieties are mostly grown to be sold as seed,

although some farmers grow improved potato varieties for multiple purposes (for own

consumption, own seed, sale). Potatoes are grown in different seasons and production

conditions (under rain fed and irrigation or combination of rained and irrigation). Demand for

different varieties also varies among the end users. Smallholder subsistence farmers demand

improved varieties because these varieties are high yielding and disease tolerant and enable

the farmers to produce potatoes that can be used for home consumption and sale at local

markets. Commercial oriented farmers demand local varieties because local varieties have a

long shelf life and good cooking quality, attributes required by potato markets in the cities.

Therefore, many different chains are required to satisfy the demands for seed potatoes of the

various end users. In Ethiopia, seed potato supply chains are underdeveloped and participants

along the chain are not well-coordinated (Abebe et al., 2012). In order to compare existing

Ethiopian seed potato supply chains and suggest options for improvement, knowledge on
management and performance of existing supply chains is essential. Also, it is essential to be

able to evaluate the impact of supply chain improvements on the supply chain performance.

At the onset of this research, knowledge on management and performance of existing

Ethiopian seed potato supply chains and the impact of improvement options on performance

was lacking.

1.3.Objectives of the seminar

1.3.1.General objective

To review production and productivity of potato in Ethiopia

1.3.2.Specific objectives
To review potato production and marketing system in Ethiopia

To review the production area of potato in Ethiopia

To review factors that affect production and productivity of potato in Ethiopia

 2. Literature Review
2.1 Seed potato production and marketing system in Ethiopia

The production of high-grade basic seed remains a key constraint in the development of a
competitive potato seed industry in Eastern and Central Africa. In Ethiopia several varieties of
potato are grown by farmers some of which are local and others are improved varieties. About 20
varieties have been reported to be grown in different parts of Ethiopia (Gebremedin et al., 2008).
Horticulture value chain study conducted in Eastern parts of Ethiopia indicated that potato is one
of the major horticulture crops exported to Djibouti and Somali land (Emana, 2008). The same
study indicated that potato accounted for about 70% of the total vegetables (i.e. 42,172.5 t)
marketed in 2007 in Kombolcha district of eastern Ethiopia. The major constraints of marketing
identified by the same study include lack of markets to absorb the production, low price for the
products, large number of middlemen in the marketing system, lack of marketing institutions
safeguarding farmers' interest and rights over their marketable produces (e.g. cooperatives), lack
of coordination among producers to increase their bargaining power, poor product handling and
packaging, imperfect pricing system and lack of transparency in market information
communications.
In potato marketing, low prices offered for ware potato used to be reported by producers. This is
attributed to non-diversified potato consumption culture in the country. However, recently,
processing and consumption of value added potato products, such as chips is showing an
increasing trend especially in urban areas. According to Agajie et al. (2007) indicated that
demand for potato chips by both high and low income households has increased in recent years
especially in Addis Ababa. Therefore, the sector has great potential for growth. This future
growth should be geared towards improving the performance of the whole potato value chain. It
is also important to link value chain with innovation system perspective in agricultural research
for development so that one reinforce the other.
2.2 Major Potato Growing Areas

In Ethiopia, potato is grown in four major areas: the central, the eastern, the northwestern and the
southern together, they cover approximately 83% of the potato farmers (CSA 2008/2009).
In the central area, potato production includes the highland areas surrounding the capital city, i.e.
Addis Ababa. In this area the major potato growing zones are West Shewa and North Shewa.
About 10% of the potato farmers are located in this area (CSA 2008/2009). Average productivity
of a potato crop ranges from 8 to 10 Mg ha−1 which is higher than the productivity in the
northwestern and southern areas. This higher productivity might be due to the use of improved
varieties and practices obtained from Holetta Agricultural Research Centre in the central area. In
the central area potato is produced mainly in the Belg (short rain season—February to May) and
Meher (long rain season—June to October) periods. Potato is also grown off-season under
irrigation (October to January). Because of the cool climate and access to improved varieties,
farmers in this area of the country also produce seed potatoes which are sold to other farmers in
the vicinity or to NGOs and agricultural bureaus to be disseminated to distant farmers. In the
central area, farmers grow about seven local varieties, eight improved varieties and six clones
(i.e. genetic material which is not officially released).

The eastern area of potato production mainly covers the eastern highlands of Ethiopia, especially
the East Harerge zone. Only about 3% of the total number of potato growers is situated in this
area (CSA 2008/2009), but the area is identified specifically because the majority of thepotato
farmers in this area produce for the market and there is also some export to Djibouti and
Somalia. Potato is mainly grown under irrigation in the dry season (December to April). This
season is characterized by low disease pressure and relatively high prices (Mulatu et al. 2005b).
Potato is also produced in the Belg (February to May) and the Meher (June to October) seasons.
Most farmers grow local potato varieties. Despite the use of local varieties, the productivity of
potato in this area is equivalent to the productivity in the central area. This might be due to good
farm management practices triggered by the farmers’ market orientation.
The northwestern area of potato production is situated in the Amhara region. It is the major
potato growing area in the country, counting about 40% of the potato farmers. South Gonder,
North Gondar, East Go jam, West Go jam and Agew Awi are the major potato production zones.
Farmers mainly grow local varieties. Productivity ranges from 7 to 8 Mg ha−1. In this area, the
largest volume of potato is produced in the Belg season followed by irrigated potato produced
off-season. (CSA 2008/2009).
The southern area of Ethiopia in which potato is grown, is mainly located in the Southern
Nations’, Nationalities and Peoples’ Regional State (SNNPRs) and partly in the Oromiya region.
The major potato producing zones in this area are Gurage, Gamo Goffa, Hadiya, Wolyta,
Kambata,Siltie and Sidama in the SNNPRS and West Arsi zone in Oromiya. More than 30% of
the total number of potato farmers is located in this area (CSA 2008/2009). Potato tubers are
produced under rain fed conditions and under irrigation. Productivity usually ranges from 7 to 8
Mg ha−1, whereas in some places potato productivity is even below7 Mg ha−1. About six
varieties are grown, of which four are local and two are improved (Endale et al. 2008).
2.3.Factors Affecting potato production in Ethiopia
potato is a cool-season crop and is grown through the spring months and harvested in early summer in
Oklahoma. Fall potato production usually results in poor plant stands and low production due to high soil
temperatures at planting and during early crop development. Potatoes grow best in fertile, well-drained,
sandy loam soils. Planting on poorly drained soils usually results in a poor plant stand due to seed piece
decay and poor-quality potatoes at harvest. Soils susceptible to wind erosion or have poor water-holding
capacity should be avoided. A good potato yield in Oklahoma is 200 to 250 hundred weight per acre.
High temperatures or insufficient moisture in the late spring and early summer, while the potato tubers are
forming reduces yield. With good management and weather conditions, yields of 300 hundred weight per
acre are possible.

2.4.Opportunities and Challenges of Potato Production in Ethiopia

Ethiopia has possibly the highest potential for potato production of any country in Africa. There is a high potential

to expand the cultivation area of the potato crop, as 70% of the country's arable land has potentially suitable to

potato cultivation [11]. Currently, only 2% of the potential area in Ethiopia is under potato production and the

average productivity of potato is less than 10 Mg/ha. Most of the available agricultural land is located at an altitude

of 1800-2500 m.a.s.l and receive an annual rainfall of more than 600 - 1,200 mm, which is suitable for potato

production [12].
The low acreage and productivity of potato in Ethiopia are attributed to many factors. The major ones are

lack of well adapted and high-yielding cultivars, unavailability and high cost of seed tubers, inappropriate

agronomic practices, and lack of marketing and suitable post-harvest management facilities, pests and disease . Also
described that lack of varieties with stable and high yield potential, lack of good quality

seeds, disease and pest problems, drought and seed dormancy to fit the local cropping calendar, lack of improved

characterization and ex situ conservation of potato genetic resources are very important limitations to potato

production by smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan-Africa. Several varieties of potato are grown by farmers some

of which are local and others are improved varieties. According to [14], 98.7% of the seed tubers required in

Ethiopia are supplied from the local varieties. The seed tubers supplied by this system have poor sanitary,

physiological, physical and genetic qualities .

The yield gap between attainable and potential yield of potato in Ethiopia is very high. A study by [19]

in Ethiopia on bacterial wilt finds out that disease are one of the most important factors that contributes to this high

yield gap in the country. According to [19], the contribution of diseases to the gap between the production potential

and the current average national production takes a large part since potato crop is susceptible to a number of

diseases including late blight, viruses and bacteria wilt. This same study indicated that mid-altitude areas of the

country around Shashamene, Bako, Jima and Rift Valley are most affected by bacterial wilt. According to [18],

sub-optimal agronomic practices are also the other most important factor contributing to this potato yield gap.

Furthermore, the use of local varieties is one and the most important factors which contribute to the low yield of

potato in Ethiopia. This is because; the local varieties are susceptible to late blight and of course low yield potential
https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/234684478.pdf

Gebru, H., Mohammed, A., Dechassa, N. et al. Assessment of production practices of

smallholder potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) farmers in Wolaita zone, southern
Ethiopia. Agric & Food Secur 6, 31 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-017-0106-8

https://extension.okstate.edu/
Degebasa AC. Review of potato research and development in Ethiopia: achievements and future prospects.
Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare. 2019 Oct 31;9(19):27-36.