Effect of improved seed system on potato yields in Uganda
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Date
2018
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
RUFORUM Working Document Series
Abstract
Potato seed quality is an important determinant of crop performance, final yield and quality.
The quality of seed used by farmers depend on the existing seed system. In Uganda, since the
formal sector has limited capacity to produce and deliver certified potato seed, the informal
sector prevails providing over 93% of potato seed used by farmers. The informal sector
is not regulated thus informal seed that is often used by farmers is usually of poor quality
which has stagnated national yields at 7.5 t ha-1. This review looks at the general potato seed
system in Uganda with an emphasis on potato seed quality while giving recommendations
on how this problem can be alleviated. This is a narrative review organized under sub-topics
to give the reader a comprehensive overview and easier tracking of the afore mentioned
reviewed topic. In summary, this review revealed that although intervention have been used
to improve quality and quantity of potato seed, a big gap still exists thus more interventions
are needed both in the formal and informal sector. In addition, it revealed that if the quality
of potato seed used by farmers can be improved either by making certified seed more
available and affordable or improving the quality of seed obtained from the informal sector,
it would be possible to increase potato yields in Uganda substantially.
Description
Keywords
Potato production systems, seed quality, Solanum tuberosun, Uganda
Citation
Kigambo, M., Wasswa, P., Obala, J., & Mugisha, J. Research Application Summary.