Year of publication 1998

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Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

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Product type Book (stand-alone)

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Category Technical report

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Edition 1

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Synopsis (short abstract) The potato post-harvest chain is characterised by a diversified system of actors and operations (see figure 1). On-farm operations (harvesting, sorting) are generally done in a way that they meet the demand of the market. There are various marketing options of the individual farmer in the major production region including farm-gate selling. Storage is done according to price expectations and cash needs. The marketing system in the rural areas is well developed which has led to the establishment of potato growing as a major cash crop for smallholders. Transport costs to major urban centres, where steadily increasing demand is found, are reasonable. Although wholesale market facilities are overloaded, the market of potato is fast clearing with no major storage requirements or product losses in the different stages. Processing to chips (french fries) and crisps is expanding. Sweet potato is in its initial stage of commercialisation. Depending on the access to the major rural centre Kisii, sales of sweet potato have increased significantly in recent years. On-farm operations include harvesting, sorting and washing. Processing is done to a small extent, but demand for processed products in rural areas is limited. Marketing by the farmer is usually through village agents who make firm orders prior to harvesting. Quantities are then assembled and transhipped via Kisii to urban centres (see figure 2). Women play a considerable part in performing the marketing operations for thi s crop. Although sweet potato has a potential to substitute other staple food crops, consumption in urban centres is still limited. Both commodities are characterised by their bulkiness and in the case of sweet potato, its perishability. The post-harvest system has coped well with these specific characteristics and is successful in meeting demand in urban areas. The marketing system is fairly efficiently organised with little reported losses in the chain. Given the variety of operations to be fulfilled, marketing margins are competitive. Price signals are effectively bridging demand, and supply and farmers usually know the prices in the nearer markets.

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Language English

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