Design and construction of a structure for commercial sprouting of solanum potato seeds.

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) plays a significant role in the food and economic requirements of Ugandans. It has high tuber yield to land area ratio, which lessen the environmental impact of agriculture of an increasingly crowded and hungry world (Saunders, 2007). The demand for potatoes particularly in urban areas provides a market opportunity for potato growers. However, lack of readily affordable certified seed of suitable improved varieties greatly hampers production (Saunders, 2007). High quality seed is a prerequisite to profitable potato production (Kabira et al., 2006). For almost two decades the potato seed system, has lacked an organized and sustainable arrangement for seed multiplication, a challenge, which renders the potato production chain incomplete. Most basic seed is directly used to produce ware potatoes by majority of the farmers instead of further multiplication to certified seed (KARl Tigoni Centre, 2003). In Uganda. seed potato supply is dominated by farmer-based informal seed system. The formal potato seed system is a single, organized, seed production programme, handled by Ministry of agriculture agencies in the seed development, production and certification (Crissman et al., 2009). When the seed production and distribution system is considered, the chain has a weak inter-phase between multiplication and distribution, arising from lack of funds and institutions to advance the breeders to pre-basic, basic and certified seed for regular distribution (Saunders, 2007). The development of a formal sector emphasized on aspects of production of certified seed and currently, there is a commercially oriented marketing system that does not reach the majority of farmers (Crissman et al., 2009). Uganda has the institutional framework needed for a formal system, but lacks enforcement and he economic backing to ensure high quality seed. The use of high quality seed can contribute significantly to increased crop productivity as envisioned in the specific strategies on agriculture in Uganda Vision 2040 (Republic of Uganda, 2012). Increased potato production through provision of high quality seed, can bring about the "green revolution-type" actions required to reduce the high levels of poverty and unemployment experienced in Uganda (Republic of Uganda, 2010). High quality seed ensures increased potato productivity, which would transform agriculture for improved livelihoods through agricultural value chain. The aim of this project was to highlight the progress of the attempts to complement and strengthen the existing seed potato system by designing and constructing a structure for commercial sprouting of solanum potato seeds. This is projected to increase the availability of certified potato seed through an organized, formal and informal arrangement with interested growers for a sustained production in the highland regions of the country where solanum potatoes are grown most.