Analysis of the profitability and marketing distribution channels of sweet potato business in Sierra Leone

Abstract

The objective of this study is to examine the profitability and channels of distribution of sweet potato in Sierra Leone. Multistage sampling was used to select 150 sweet potato marketers from five major districts. Data was collected on socio-economics characteristics, distribution channels, market margins and net income, drivers and barriers of sweet potato marketers with aid of android devices programme with the Census and Survey Processing System (CSPro. 6.3) software package. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Sweet potato trading investment has a net positive return. After calculating the benefit-cost ratio (BCR), the BCR of sweet potato root trading in each of the districts was greater than one (BCR>1), which indicates that, sweet potato roots trading business is profitable. The revenue generated in the sale of one (1) bag of sweet potato is high. That is, an average of 20% profit is realised from the 1 bag (50 kg) that is bought and sold and the highest profit was realised in Bombali district. Therefore, sweet potato trading is a profitable and a lucrative business venture in Sierra Leone that is worth investing. Lack of credit facilities, inadequate initial capital and high transportation costs were identified as the major factors militating against sweet potato marketing in the study area. The study therefore recommended, the government as well as non-governmental agencies should organise the marketers into groups and empower the marketers through the provision of micro credit facilities to increase the initial capital and hence expand in trading of sweet potato roots.

Structural Characteristics and Conduct of Sweet Potato Market in Rachuonyo Region, Kenya: Perception of Sweet Potato Farmers and Traders

“…However, in overall, the three categories of market players agreed to a moderate extent that there were barriers to entry into the sweet potato market. This conforms to a study by Nabay, Koroma, Johnson and Kassoh (2020) who also noted the existence barriers to entry into the sweet potato market in Sierra Leone. They however, observed that inadequate initial capital and high transportation costs were the major factors militating against sweet potato marketing in the study area.…”

Financial Analysis of Sweet Potato Farming in Gunung Talang Region, West Sumatra, Indonesia

“…Not only sweet potato farming, even the sweet potato trading also had a net positive return. In Sierra Leone in 2018, for example, the benefit-cost ratio of sweet potato trading was greater than one, indicated that sweet potato trading business was profitable [26].…”

Assessment of the Economic Suitability of Indoor Storage for White-Coloured Sweet Potatoes Roots Under Tanzania Conditions

“…Sweet potato is one of Tanzania's major crops with good export potential if postharvest degradation and storage losses are effectively controlled. Besides, sweet potato marketing opportunities abound and demand for sweet potato roots, particularly in urban areas, is high (Nabay et al, 2020). However, farmers, traders, and consumers in Tanzania remain confronted with major challenges such as soft rot and physiological changes (reduction of starch and increase in sugars and dextrin) in extending the shelf life of the roots (Jones et al, 2012).…”

“…To minimise decay losses, traders and farmers frequently sell their sweet potato produce within 1-2 weeks of harvesting as the only solution and hence avoid investment in storage . The adoption of good storage technology has generated promising results in terms of extending the shelf life of sweet potatoes and as a result increasing the profit of roots after product sales (Nabay et al, 2020). The study is set to assess the economic suitability of indoor storage technologies for storing whitecoloured sweet potato roots under Tanzania conditions to reduce postharvest losses and increase profitability.…”