Economic evaluation of the potato market chain in Uganda

摘要: A survey involving 180 farmers, 60 traders and processors was conducted in Kabale, Mbale and Kampala districts in Uganda for two consecutive potato growing seasons (20011/2012). The Study sought to: 1) to characterise and describe the various potato market chains. 2) determine the efficiency of the existing potato market chain actors at different stages of the chain 3) determine the factors that influence the efficiency of the potato market chain and 4) identify alternative options that could improve the efficiency of the potato market chain actors. Study findings indicate that the potato market chain in Uganda is characterised by a large number of small uncoordinated farmers and buyers who face high marketing costs resulting into lack of mutually beneficial linkages between the various actors in the chain. Only 26.4% of the farmers were in some form of contractual arrangement with buyers. Results also indicate that those who sold under contracts (75%) were organised in groups compared to only 27% who did not sell under any contract but belonged to groups. Results further indicate that those who sold under contracts benefited more and subsequently their potato yield per hectare and annual revenue were significantly higher than for farmers who were under no contractual obligation.