Abstract:
Irish potato enterprise is one of the highly rewarding business ventures farmers engage in; despite of the returns gained, farmers out-put have been compromised by various challenges. This study was to assess Irish potato (solanum tuberosum) production in improving livelihood of farmers in kortek sub-county bukwo district. Convenience sampling design was employed in selection 40 respondents who were directly involved in Irish potato production, this provided a basis for representative view for Solanum tuberosum production among farmers. According to the findings source of livelihoods portrayed this pattern, Irish production (72.5%)> maize production 17.5% > 10% livestock production. Irish production plays a bigger role in contributing to livelihood incomes, maize production was the second as a source of livelihood incomes and lastly livestock production. According to the study, 17.5% of the total sample size said that poor transport within kortek sub-county, 10% of the sample size said unstable market prices of irish potatoes, 15% mentioned poor quality planting seedlings, 27.5% mentioned pests and diseases, 7.5% said land availability and tenure as one of the challenges and 22.5% of the respondents said high cost of inputs. The study found out that, 35% of the total sample size suggested that Provision of low interest loans could be one of best solutions to irish potato production challenges, 7.5% Suggested Setting up of demonstration farms, 30% mentioned repair of feeder roads 7.5% suggested the construction of produce stores and lastly 20% mentioned Setting up of farms for irish seedling production.
Out of the findings I recommend that Irish potato production should jointly be encouraged among various stake holders in Kortek Sub-County Bukwo District in order to improve on Irish potato production. Irish potato farmers should undergo various trainings and more research should be carried out on diseases that affect Irish potato production in order to improve on its output in terms of increased yields. Irish farmers should always survey for better markets for the sale of Irish output.
