Assessment of Socio-Economic Characteristics of Small Scale Irish Potato Farmers in Nigeria and Kenya Under the Potato Initiative Africa Project

The study analyzed the socio-economic characteristics and production challenges of small-scale Irish potato farmers in Nigeria and Kenya. Multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted to select study locations in both countries. A total of 295 small-scale Irish potato farmers were interviewed, 188 from Nigeria and 107 from Kenya. In both countries however, farmers interviewed were beneficiaries of the Potato Initiative Africa Project. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics to obtain results of the study. The results from the studies disclosed that most of the farmers ranges between 36-59 age class hence categorized as adults. Majority were reportedly married in Nigeria with 50.5% while 29.0% of farmers in Kenya were reportedly single. The mean household size in Nigeria was 7 members and 6 members for farmers in Kenya. More than 50% of farmers in both countries had formal education. In Nigeria, 38.3% of Irish potato farmers were civil servants and 100% of farmers in Kenya had farming as major activity. In Nigeria, 54.8% of farmers were members of an association (that is farmer’s association) while 51.4% of farmers in Kenya were members of farmer’s association. Major constraints that limit Irish potato production for both farmers’ groups in Nigeria and Kenya included blight infestation, high input costs, poor pricing and corrupt retailers, poor road network and inadequate institutionalized credit sources. It was recommended that farmers in both countries to leverage upon existing farmers group and adopt an integrated/unified disease management system of conducting spraying activity collectively and at the same time. Also, research institutes with the mandate on root and tuber crops should be empowered and funded to conduct research intended in improving local Irish potato varieties.