Assessment of opportunities for Burundian small-scale potato farmers to increase productivity and income

dc.contributor.authorBararyenya, Astère
dc.contributor.authorNahayo, Pierre-Claver
dc.contributor.authorNduwimana, Anicet
dc.contributor.authorNiyonzima, Pierre
dc.contributor.authorNyawakira, Déo
dc.contributor.authorSindihebura, Jean-Pierre
dc.contributor.authorVyizigiro, Ernest
dc.contributor.authorNdayishimiye, Vital
dc.contributor.authorHaverkort, Anton J.
dc.date.accessioned2018-11-01T11:42:38Z
dc.date.issued2018-03
dc.description.abstractFrom 2014 through 2016, on-farm experiments were carried out in three provinces surrounding Bujumbura town in Burundi to improve the low potato (Solanum tuberosum) yields, which currently stand at about 6 t ha−1. It was hypothesised that in rain-fed conditions, improved varieties, healthier seed tubers, pre-sprouting in light, proper fertilisation and protection from late blight attack would improve yield and quality, such as tuber weight, tuber size and lower brown rot incidence. The treatments in the on-farm trials at five farms in each of three sites (15 replicates) were applied in two seasons, giving 30 replicates in 580 plots. The following treatments were compared with growers’ current practices: introduction of two new varieties, use of early generation seed from a rapid multiplication scheme, earlier harvesting of a seed crop, seed storage in a diffused light store, and research-based timing and dose rate of fertilisers and fungicides. Marginal rates of return on investments were calculated at farm level and current and tested alternative technologies were compared. Costs and benefits of applying such techniques were calculated. An improved variety contributed up to 20% yield increase and healthier seed 80%. Early harvesting reduced yield by 30% and reduced incidence of brown rot in the current season, but increased it (from 21 to 39%) in the following season when tubers were replanted. Diffused light storage, alternating contact and systemic fungicide application, and application of chemical fertilisers resulted in 30, 50 and 60% yield increases, respectively. It was shown that it is possible to double yields and economic returns (marginal rates of return) under the growing conditions in Burundi when growers plant healthy pre-sprouted seed of a new variety and apply chemical fertilisers and fungicides.en_ZA
dc.description.departmentPlant Production and Soil Scienceen_ZA
dc.description.embargo2019-03-01
dc.description.librarianhj2018en_ZA
dc.description.sponsorshipThe Netherlands NWO Knowledge for Food Program, Applied Research Fund.en_ZA
dc.description.urihttp://link.springer.com/journal/11540en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationBararyenya, A., Nahayo, PC., Nduwimana, A. et al. Assessment of Opportunities for Burundian Small-Scale Potato Farmers to Increase Productivity and Income. Potato Research (2018) 61: 73-88. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-018-9359-2.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn0014-3065 (print)
dc.identifier.issn1871-4528 (online)
dc.identifier.other10.1007/s11540-018-9359-2
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/67124
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherSpringeren_ZA
dc.rights© European Association for Potato Research 2018. The original publication is available at : http://link.springer.comjournal/11540.en_ZA
dc.subjectOn-farm trialsen_ZA
dc.subjectNew potato varietiesen_ZA
dc.subjectMarginal rate of return (MRR)en_ZA
dc.subjectHealthy seed tubersen_ZA
dc.subjectFungicidesen_ZA
dc.subjectDiffused light storeen_ZA
dc.subjectChemical fertilisersen_ZA
dc.subjectAcceptable minimum rate of return (AMRR)en_ZA
dc.titleAssessment of opportunities for Burundian small-scale potato farmers to increase productivity and incomeen_ZA
dc.typePostprint Articleen_ZA

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Bararyenya_Assessment_2018.pdf
Size:
1.11 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Postprint Article

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.75 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: