Potato production, marketing, and utilization in Meghalaya, India: Results of a value chain assessment.

Potato is a vital and inseparable part of livelihoods and diets in Meghalaya and improvements in its value chain can benefit the entire sector, particularly smallholder potato farmers. Value chain mapping in three districts in Meghalaya revealed that farmers, traders, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers are the main value chain factors, supported by input suppliers and government organizations. The potato value chain can be strengthened by enhancing potato producers’ access to inputs, better post-harvest handling, quality control mechanisms, and the use of proper storage. Potential interventions in potato marketing include providing market intelligence, building the entrepreneurial capacity of farmers, identifying processing options, and developing a branding strategy for Meghalaya potatoes to market to other states

Cassava production marketing and utilization in Meghalaya, India: results of a value chain assessment.

The scoping study of RTCs in Meghalaya led by FoodSTART+ and LAMP in 2016 recommended conducting a cassava value chain study in key cassava producing areas in Meghalaya to strengthen the value chain and increase benefits to farmers. This study was conducted in September-October 2017 with the overall objective of identifying major constraints in cassava production, marketing and use, and opportunities for interventions that could significantly increase returns for farmers and processors; specifically studying all aspects of cassava value chain in Meghalaya. These pieces of information will be used to plan LAMP/MBDA activities in the cassava sub-sector. This study followed a value chain analysis approach and involved a cross-sectional data collection among a range of stakeholders and value chain actors through review of secondary data, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys. The study was conducted in the main cassava producing districts of East Garo, West Garo, and West Khasi hills as well other important markets dealing with cassava including Shillong

Potato production, marketing, and utilization in Meghalaya, India: Results of a value chain assessment.

Potato is among the most important food crop globally, its demand rising rapidly in Asia along with the steady increase in incomes and population among Asian megacities. The same is true in India, the second largest producer of potato in the world, next to China. However, despite being the top vegetable crop produced in the country; easily accessible information on its production, marketing, and utilization is still limited. This research presents the results of a value chain assessment carried out in Meghalaya, India where potato is the chief crop in terms of volume and value. It documents the entire potato value chain in Meghalaya including input supply, varietal distribution over seasons, production, and marketing; and identifies major constraints and areas where interventions could significantly increase returns for potato producers. This study followed a value chain analysis approach and involved a cross-sectional data collection among a range of stakeholders and value chain actors through review of secondary data, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys. Results show that the potato value chain in Meghalaya begins with smallholder potato producers, and involves input suppliers, traders, aggregators, wholesalers, and retailers from within and outside the state. The average potato productivity in Meghalaya is less than half of the country average owing to the several issues farmers encounter in production. These include the lack of quality potato seeds of improved varieties, decreasing soil fertility, and other environmental stresses including climate change. There is no post-harvest processing and formal quality control being done for Meghalaya potatoes, while proper storage and transportation options are limited, which affects potato prices. This study recommends specific actions to improving potato marketing including providing market intelligence to farmers to help stabilize prices, building the marketing and entrepreneurial capacity of farmers, identifying processing options, and developing a branding strategy for Meghalaya potatoes to market to other states. All these can be done through better collaboration between farmers, other value chain actors, and government agencies. These results can be used by policy makers, research workers, and development organizations interested in value chain development of potato to help improve the livelihood of smallholder potato farmers and other actors in the potato value chain