Seed potato systems in East Africa are described and opportunities for improvement identified on the basis of interviews with potato producers in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia, and an assessment of Ralstonia solanacearum and virus disease levels in Kenya. 3% of seed potato sold in Kenyan markets was virus free. Ralstonia solanacearum was found in 74% of potato farms. Less than 5% of the farmers interviewed source seed potato from specialized seed growers. Over 50% rely entirely on farm-saved seed. Current seed potato prices justify this behavior. To improve the system the local and specialized chain need to be tackled simultaneously. To improve the local chain ware potato farmers require training on seed quality maintenance and managing bacterial wilt and viruses. Research into virus resistance and the effect of mixed virus infection on yield deserves attention. Private investment in seed potato production could increase volumes produced and reduce prices.Resumen Se describen sistemas de semillas de papa en África del Este y se identifican oportunidades de mejora basándose en entrevistas con productores de papas en Kenia, Uganda y Etiopía y una evaluación de los niveles de las enfermedades causadas por Ralstonia solanacearum y virus en Kenia. El 3% de la semilla de papa vendido en los mercados de Kenia estaba libre de virus. Se encontró Ralstonia solanacearum en 74% de las explotaciones agrarias de papa. Menos del 5% de los agricultores entrevistados obtienen semillas de papa de agricultores especializados en semillas. Más del 50% dependen totalmente de las semillas almacenadas en la explotación agraria. Los precios actuales de semilla de papa justifican este comportamiento. Para mejorar el sistema, se debe abordar simultáneamente tanto la cadena local y la especializada. Para mejorar la cadena local, los agricultores de papa para consumo humano necesitan capacitación sobre el mantenimiento de la calidad de la semilla y manejo de la marchités bacteriana y virus. La investigación sobre resistencia a los virus y el efecto de la infección de mezcla de virus sobre el rendimiento merece atención. La inversión privada en la producción de semilla de papa podría aumentar los volúmenes de producción y reducir los precios.

Increased productivity of potatoes can improve the livelihood of smallholder potato farmers in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia and is required to meet the growing demand. This paper investigates the opportunities for potato system improvement that could result in improved productivity. Through a diagnosis of the potato systems in the three countries on the basis of surveys and stakeholder workshops, seed potato quality management, bacterial wilt control, late blight control and soil fertility management were identified as key technical intervention topics. For effective problem solving in these areas, the functioning of the potato innovation system requires improvement to better deliver the functions of potato marketing as well as knowledge development and information exchange. With use of a 'system failure framework' the shortcomings of the potato innovation system are identified and discussed and options for improvement are suggested.

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Abstract AbstractThis study uses farmers who hosted on-farm trials and demonstrations involving three new groundnut varieties in Malawi to assess their acceptability and adoption potential. It also examines patterns of seed diffusion among trial farmers as well as among non-trial farmers who were members of seed banks. The study shows that trial follow-up surveys provide a cost-effective approach for assessing early adoption and providing feedback to researchers. Although this study is useful it needs to be perceived and designed as one of several studies that help researchers understand the complexity of farmers' adoption decisions. Résumé Résumé Résumé Résumé Résumé Evaluation du potentiel d'adoption de nouvelles variétés d'arachide au Assessing Adoption Potential of New Groundnut Varieties in Malawi