|
Constraint hypotheses |
Findings on potato post-harvest system |
Findings on sweet potato post-harvest system |
|
Technical constraints | ||
|
Lack of proper storage facilities causes heavy PH losses |
storage is done in the Meru district adequately. |
not relevant because no storage technologies available |
|
Lack of clean planting material (without infection) |
Lack of certified seed is a major constraint for increased production |
not a major constraint |
|
Lack of technical information at the farmers' level e.g. on harvesting tools, handling, PH technology in general |
Harvesting and handling are not a major constraint. |
Harvesting and handling have not been considered as a major problem. |
|
Lack of processing techniques |
Processors possess adequate technology, packaging is a potential problem when facing imported crisps |
Major problem for processing in rural areas |
|
Lack of grading system with the effect of low income for farmers |
Grading is done at the farm level to a sufficient extent in Meru. |
Grading is done at the farm level |
|
Harvesting before maturity |
Only in irrigated crop during high demand periods, but acceptable to markets. |
No major problem |
|
Financial and economic constraints | ||
|
High transport costs |
No major problem |
No major problem not relevant |
|
High costs of technological innovations (e.g. irrigation for potato growing) |
Main reason for reluctance to invest in irrigation are land title problems in Karuri |
not relevant |
|
High prices for chemicals to be used for storage |
Storage losses are insignificant from farmers' point of view |
not relevant |
|
Institutional constraints | ||
|
Lack of bargaining power of farmers in marketing |
Not a major problem in Meru since storage remains an alternative |
Not a major problem |
|
Exploitation of the farmer by the middlemen because of lacking information on the structure of the market |
Farmers claim little exploitation |
Farmers claim little exploitation |
|
Lack of long term investment because institutions are unreliable |
In Karuri village (Timau division), land titles are not available |
not applicable |
|
Institutions are poorly developed |
not a major constraint |
not a major constraint |
|
Poor infrastructure (inaccessible roads) |
Major constraint in areas distant from tarmac roads |
Major constraint in areas distant from tarmac roads |
|
Poor linkages between research, extension and farm households |
System has not well developed. |
Sweet potato is not considered as a serious cash crop |
|
Lack of credit facilities |
not a major problem |
not a major problem |
|
Farmers are not able to take advantage of seasonality of market prices |
Meru farmers take advantage of it by storage and irrigation; Nyandarua farmers practice continuous cropping |
Farmers use sequential planting to take advantage of market. |
|
Development of commercialisation is hampered by traditional eating habits |
not applicable |
Sweet potato is rated as a snack but not as a staple food item |
|
Change in gender role due to increase of commercialisation |
not a major problem |
may be a potential problem |
|
Unexploited industrial market |
processed industrial products (crisps) have limited demand |
potential demand needs to be investigated |
