European UnionInternational Fund for Agricultural Developmen

Nabukera, C.

Namanda, S.

Naziri, D.

Parker, M.L.

Wasukira, A.

CGSpace

IntroductionIn Uganda, eastern highlands region is the second largest producer of potato (Solanum tuberosum, L.) after the southwest. According to Namanda et al.(2004) production is characterized by two major harvesting seasons, in July-August (for tubers planted in March-April) and December-January (for tubers planted in August-September). Some farmers, especially those who plant early, harvest prematurely in the first season, particularly between mid-May and end of June, attracted by the high market prices before the peak production. Furthermore, failure to manage diseases such as late blight and bacterial wilt is an additional incentive to harvest prematurely (Namanda et al, 2004). Extremely short growing period (only 50 to 80 days from planting to harvest) results in reduced tuber yield and quality as well as higher postharvest damage of early-lifted tubers (Tahsin and Ferhat 2011). Traders try to dispose of the supplies as quickly as possible not only to anticipate the future drop in market prices but also to limit postharvest losses such as rotting and weight loss to which prematurely harvested tubers are particularly susceptible (Tahsin and Ferhat, 2011). This study aimed at assessing the implications of premature harvest, particularly in terms of the tradeoff between reduced yield and higher prices fetched by farmers. Materials and MethodThe effect of  the stage of maturity on yield and quality traits was investigated in two key potato growing districts in eastern Uganda (Kweenand Mbale). On-farm sampling of Rwangume variety was conducted at 70, 90 and 110 days after planting (DAP). The field were purposively selected based on cultivated variety, planting date (mid-March 2016) and flowering stage at time of the first sampling. At every DAP, three samples were collected from three different fields (0.4 Ha each) in the two districts (i.e., 18 samples at each DAP). Sampling set plots (12 plants from 2.7m2 each) were randomly selected in each field, separated by at least 10 walking strides, making sure to avoid anthills and previous fire spots. Observations on vigour, pests and diseases infections, including late blight, were recorded before harvesting. Harvesting was done ensuring that all tubers were collected. Tubers were graded by size (big, medium and small), counted and data on weight and diameter for each category were taken. Information on prevailing monthly wholesale prices for eastern Uganda in 2015 and 2016 were obtained from FarmGain Africa and discounted by transport costs to generate indicative farm-gate prices. Data were analysed using the GenStat package and gross income computed. Results and DiscussionTable 1: Effect of harvesting at DAP on potato tuber yield (t/Ha) and farm-gate prices (UgSh) in eastern Uganda70 DAP 90 DAP 110 DAP Lsd0.05Total tuber yield (t/Ha) 14.6 24.4 28.4 1.56Yield loss due early harvesting (%) 48.6 14.1 0Marketable tubers’ sizeA. Big tubers (≥ 7cm diameter)             (t/Ha)                    (% total output)5.6(38.4%)11.0(45.1%)15.7(55.3%)1.76B. Medium tubers (4 - 6cm diameter)   (t/Ha)                         (% total output)5.6(38.4%)9.7(39.8%)9.8(34.5%)0.88C. A + B (mixed)                                     (t/Ha)                       (% total output)11.3(77.4%)20.7(84.9%)25.5(89.8%)2.09Grade A farm-gate price (UgSh/kg) 1,000 600 500Grade C (mixed) farm-gate price  (UgSh/kg) 700 400 350Harvest stage (DAP)Grade Farm-gate price (UgSh/kg)Gross income (UgSh million)Gap with 110 DAP(UgSh million)70(End-May)C 700 7.91 (2.01)90(Mid-June)C 400 8.28 (1.64)110(Mid-July)C 350 9.92 -• Pre-harvesting at both 70 and 90 DAP resulted into negative changes in gross incomes (Table 2).• Despite the benefits of harvesting a mature crop, in some cases, farmers inevitably harvest prematurely due to late blight epidemics (Plate 2) or immediate need for cash.• Margins from mature tubers could be further increased by storing them for sometime since the prices again raise shortly after peak harvesting (Figure 1).• In absence of price premiums, selling mixed sized tubers is more lucrative than selling big tubers separately. Figure 1: Farmers fetch the highest farm-gate prices between April and June. Then, at peak harvest time, they drop for a short period before raising again.• Total tuber yield and big tuber yield were significantly different (P = < 0.05) between harvesting stages (Table 1). By premature harvesting at 70 DAP, farmers lose two thirds of the yield of the biggest and highest priced tubers (Plate 1).• Regardless of the grade, farmers who harvest prematurely benefit of considerable higher prices (Table 1 and Figure 1).• Farmers do not sell small tubers and, in order to increase the marketability of potatoes, usually sell a mix of big and medium sized tubers.Table 2: Effect of pre-harvesting on gross income per hectare in eastern Uganda in 2016 Conclusion and RecommendationsGenerally pre-harvesting resulted into yield loss and negative changes in gross income at farmer level. Premature harvesting also compromises the quality of potato and prevents the possibility to store the tubers and obtain better return at a later stage. Considering that potato is a key food and cash crop in the highlands of Uganda, it is recommended that farmers delay harvesting until maturity. Late blight control using fungicides and improved access to financial services can encourage farmers to maintain the crop until maturity.   Plate 2: Late blight influences decision to pre-harvest Plate 3: Premature thin-skinned tubers on the marketReferencesNamanda et al., 2004. Fungicide application and host-resistance for potato late blight management: Benefits assessment from on-farm studies in S.W. Uganda. Crop Protection, 23:1075-1083.Tahsin Söğüt and Ferhat Öztürk, 2011. Effects of harvesting time on some yield and quality traits of different maturing potato cultivars. African Journal of Biotechnology. Vol. 10(38), pp. 7349-7355.S. Namanda1, D. Naziri1, C. Nabukera2, A. Wasukira3 and M. L. Parker11 International Potato Center (CIP), Kampala, Uganda - CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB)2 Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda3 Buginyanya Zonal Agricultural and Development Institute, National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), UgandaContact: s.namanda@cgiar.orgPOTATO FARMER AND MARKET’S STRATEGIES TO COPE WITH SEASONALITIES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR POSTHARVEST LOSSES IN EASTERN UGANDAPlate 1: Premature harvesting at 70 DAPThe CGIAR Research Program on Roots, Tubers and Bananas (RTB) is a broad alliance led by the International Potato Center (CIP) jointly with BioversityInternational, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and CIRAD in collaboration with research and development partners. Our shared purpose is to tap the underutilized potential of root, tuber and banana crops for improving nutrition and food security, increasing incomes and fostering greater gender equity, especially among the world's poorest and most vulnerable populations.This is an output of Expanding Utilization of Roots, Tubers and Bananas and Reducing their Postharvest Losses (RTB-ENDURE) project implemented by RTB with funding from the European Union and technical Support from IFAD.1 USD = 3,347 Ugandan Shillings (UgSh)

Potato farmer and markets strategies to cope with seasonalities and implications for postharvest losses in eastern Uganda.

https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/10568/82800/1/RTB-Endure-Poster-Potato-Farmer-and-Market-Strategies.pdf

Potato farmer and markets strategies to cope with seasonalities and implications for postharvest losses in eastern Uganda.

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