Potato Value Chain: Implication for Household Food Security in Shala and Shashemene Districts of West Arsi Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the major potato value chain actors, role, production constraints and its contribution for ensuring household food security. Two-stage sampling procedure was used to select respondents. The main actors were input suppliers, farmers, wholesalers, processors, retailers and consumers. 94% of the produced potato was supplied to the market while 4% of the same was used for seed for the next cropping season. The rest 2% of it was used for consumption of the household. Income from potato contributed 55% of the total household income (as it is vital element in ensuring household food security); the share of potato was 19% in ensuring household food security in the study area while the remaining goes to other crops and livestock as well as nonfarm activities. Inadequacy of inputs, lack of bargaining power and low price of potato were among the constraints. It is recommended that the government and stakeholders along the chain should igation. Moreover, pertinent actors should facilitate access for inputs and output