Mayanja, S.

McEwan, M.

CGSpace (CGIAR)

SWEETPOTATO MARKETING INITIATIVES OF INNOVATION PLATFORMS  IN EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA  Mayanja Sarah and McEwan Margaret, International Potato Center: s.mayanja@cgiar.org Discussion and conclusion IPTA utilized multiple strategies to engage chain actors, supporters and policy makers in order to harness market opportunities. This was aided by CIP, NARIs and other IPTA members with marketing             expertise, who acted as ‘innovation brokers’. In the process, several champions emerged who promoted chain linkages and                   complemented the brokerage function.  Growth of the processed products markets is anticipated to drive development of the root and vine chains. Innovation platforms are indeed a novel approach to    upgrading value chains.  The ability of the platform to perform      however depends greatly on its leadership, membership,                 harmonization of roles and responsibilities and focused vision.  Introduction The Dissemination of New Technologies in Africa (DONATA) was a five year project funded by FARA/ASARECA and managed by CIP in        Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.  DONATA employed a multi-stakeholder approach where 21 Innovation Platforms for      Technology Adoption (IPTAs) were formed to promote learning and  innovations along Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) chains. IPTAs comprised of Research Institutes, extension providers, NGOs, chain actors, and the private sector. Initially, IPTAs addressed seed related challenges, root production and processing.  With increased            production, a new challenge of markets for the products surfaced. CIP hence undertook a study to identify market opportunities and       strategies to harness them.  Methods Participatory action research was employed. Approaches used          included interviews with key informants, workshops with traders, farmers and IPTA members; and focus group discussions. Data were   collected on the following themes: (i) main products and market    outlets, (ii) chain organization, actors and functions, (iii) chain support functions (iv) market opportunities. 185 respondents were                 interviewed comprising of 3 District officials, 51 IPTA members, 8     processors, 19 vine          producers, 84 root producers, and 18 traders.  Findings Vines chains: IPTAs had established a three tiered seed system in a quest to          improve availability of quality vines to farmers and buyers (Table 1). Challenges identified included (i) inability to gauge vine demand (ii) low willingness to pay (iii) lack of a certification system and (iv) high maintenance costs.  Market opportunities included: (i) high demand by development institutions (ii) demand by producers in drier areas. (iii) demand by root producers who supplied processors.     Roots chains:  3 supply chains were identified.  Challenges included bulkiness,      perishability, limited acceptability, and low awareness of the            nutritious attributes of OSP.  Market opportunities identified included (i) dry season sales (ii) demand by large processors (iii) demand by      non-farming communities’ e.g. fisher-folk (iii) existence of school feeding programs. Processed products chains: Larger processors facilitated forward and backward linkages in the chain, aimed at improving root supply. Challenges observed included inadequate roots, high assembly costs, poor quality roots, cash flow constraints and quality certification.  Smaller processors experienced challenges of standardizing products, and maintaining market       presence.  Opportunities identified included: (i) High demand for flour and chips and (ii) demand for OFSP based snacks. Strategies identified:  Rapid market assessment to ascertain market prospects, production and marketing plans to align demand and supply; and linkage to    Business Development Services providers.  Others were awareness creation and promotion, formation of production clusters,                 establishment of selling points, and research-trader-commercial farmer linkages; among others. IPTAs employed the strategies           resulting in 10 successful contracts valued at $500,000.  Vine          producers in Kenya and Uganda sold over $50,000 worth of vines to large buyers.  Sales of processed products doubled in Rwanda. A new factory in Tanzania led to increased demand for flour.     Country Mul-Level     Hectares Variees Under Mulplicaon 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Kenya   TC           Kabode, Vita PMS 1 2.9 1 1.2 1.2 Ejumula, Kabode, Vita, SPK031 SMS 10 3.2 3.6 9 9 TMS 25 35.7 n.a. 80.6 6.2 Uganda   PMS 0.6 0.9 1.825 0.52 0.8 Ejumula, Kakamega, Vita and Kabode SMS 5.7 1.6 1.75 1.1 Na TMS 1.8 14.3 2.5 Na Na Tanzania PMS 0.3 1.5 2.5 1 1 Ejumula, Carrot-C and Jewel Carrot C has replaced Carrot-Dar SMS 2.2 8.2 11.8 30.9 8.5 TMS   7.7 Na 9.3 12.7 Rwanda TC           Caceopedo and 97-062 PMS 0.8 1.5 0.8 3.4 3.6 Caceopedo and 97-062, Ka-kamega and Ejumala SMS 10.2 13 21.65 41.3 44.3TMS   4 40.5 - 3.5 Ethiopia TC           Kabode, Vita, Tulla Kulfo, Koka 12 PMS   1.8 3.0 1.75 Na Tulla and Kulfo   SMS   .25 2.15 - Na TMS     n.a. - Na Total PMS 2.7 8.6 9.1 7.87 6.6   SMS 28.1 26.5 41 82.3 61.85   TMS 26.7 61.7 43 89.9 22.4   Acknowledgements:   ASARECA, FARA  Ethiopia: SARI, GOAL Ethiopia Kenya: KARI Rwanda: RAB Tanzania: LZARDI Uganda: Gulu University, NgeHa ZARDI   References:  Klerkx, L.; Schut, M.; Leeuwis, C.; Kilelu, C.W. 2012.  Advances in Knowledge Brokering in the Agricultural Sector: Towards Innova-Ion System FacilitaIon.  IDS BulleIn-InsItute of Development Studies, vol.43, nr.5 - p. 53 - 60. AA Adekunle, J Ellis-Jones, I Ajibefun, RA Nyikal, S Bangali, O Fatunbi and A Ange. 2012.  Agriculture innovaIon in Sub-Saharan Af-rica. Experiences from mulI-stakeholder approaches. Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), Accra, Ghana. Nederlof, Suzanne, Mariana Wongtschowski and Femke van der Lee (eds). 2011. PuJng heads together. Agricultural innovaIon plaKorms in pracIce. BulleIn 396, KIT Publishers Large Vine Mulplier  - Lira, Uganda Sorng roots for sale  - Kenya Weighing roots  for sale to processor Sales Point  - Uganda OFSP Processed products on the market  - Rwanda and Kenya Table 1: Area and Variees Under OFSP Mulplicaon 

Sweetpotato marketing initiatives of innovation platforms in east and central Africa.

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Sweetpotato marketing initiatives of innovation platforms in east and central Africa.

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