Effect of Potato Production on People’s Welfare in Mparo Village, Busoro Sub-County, Kabarole District

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a starchy root vegetable native to the America that is consumed as a staple food in many parts of the world. In Uganda, its production has increased remarkedly in the past 15 years, with 327,300 MT produced from an estimated 111,100 hectares in 2018. However, challenges such as fluctuating market prices, poor road infrastructure, and limited access to modern farming technologies hinder its full potential. Therefore, this research evaluated how potato farming affects welfare of the farmers involved, focusing on income levels, varieties of potatoes, and overall standards of living. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the contribution of potato production to household income, identify the type of potato varieties that are mostly grown in Mparo village, and to examine the challenges faced by potato farmers in Mparo village. Data was collected through surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions with farmers, agricultural experts, and local community leaders and analyzed using Microsoft Excel (2013). Results showed the largest proportion (62%) of respondents earn above 1,000,000 UGX per season from potato farming, while the least (6%) of respondents earn less than 100,000 UGX, also, a larger proportion (47%) of respondents sell their potatoes in neighboring town, while the least number (9%) of respondents sell directly to consumers. Similarly, Majority (68%) of respondents reported potato farming as their primary occupation, while the least number (4%) of respondents identify as "brokers” without additional context. It was concluded that while most farmers report high production levels, income generation varies considerably across different groups. A substantial proportion of farmers face challenges such as limited financial resources, inadequate storage facilities, pests and diseases, and poor market access, all of which hinder their ability to maximize profits and productivity. Therefore, emphasis on promoting the use of improved and hybrid potato varieties, supporting efficient farming practices, increasing access to financial resources, and addressing the specific needs of farmers with low production is necessary