Potato Value Chain: Implication for Household Food Security in Shala and Shashemene Districts of West Arsi Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the major potato value chain actors, role,
production constraints and its contribution for ensuring household food
security. Two-stage sampling procedure was used to select respondents. The
main actors were input suppliers, farmers, wholesalers, processors, retailers
and consumers. 94% of the produced potato was supplied to the market
while 4% of the same was used for seed for the next cropping season. The
rest 2% of it was used for consumption of the household. Income from potato
contributed 55% of the total household income (as it is vital element in
ensuring household food security); the share of potato was 19% in ensuring
household food security in the study area while the remaining goes to other
crops and livestock as well as nonfarm activities. Inadequacy of inputs, lack
of bargaining power and low price of potato were among the constraints. It is
recommended that the government and stakeholders along the chain should
igation. Moreover, pertinent actors should facilitate access for inputs and output