Final Report: Irish Potato Seed Varieties Profile and Opportunities and Constraints in Southern Highlands of Tanzania

The main production area is the Southern Highlands, predominantly in four regions of Iringa, Njombe, Mbeya, and Songwe. Commercial production and marketing of potatoes in southern highlands and elsewhere in Tanzania are still informal, with benefits not favoring income and employment of small-scale potato farmers and traders. The study aimed to profile a variety of potato seeds multiplied by non-certified smallholder farmers (SHFs) and certified farmers. During the survey, it was discovered that there are 7 certified varieties of Irish potato seeds certified by the Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI), namely Asante, Sherekea, Meru, Tengeru, Jelly, Rumba, and Sagitta. These varieties have been common in the market but have not managed to penetrate deeply in the southern highlands markets. Local varieties, such as Obama, Tigo, and Kikondo (CIP 720050), are also popular among smallholder farmers and traders, although Kidinya and Kala are not as popular. The study identified opportunities and constraints of potato seed multiplication business. Challenges include underdeveloped policy on weight and measures regulations for certain crops, including Irish potatoes, unreliable market for robust seeds, and improper Good Agronomy Practice (GAP). Opportunities noted during the study include the development of an Irish potato center in Mbeya, which is expected to support every phase of the potato value chain from production, storage, processing, and marketing. The center agreement was signed between the governments of Tanzania and the Netherlands, with emerging private investors improving availability and accessibility of clean seeds, such as Beula seeds company and Tanzanice. The study aimed to quantify production units, area of production, and project market needs. During the time of the study, the Irish potato seed multiplication business profile could not be exhausted, as most of the seed multipliers were not certified by TOSCI. However, the study was able to identify 15 seed multipliers, with 7 certified by TOSCI and 8 non-certified. The certified seed multipliers were found to have a higher yield and better quality seeds compared to non-certified multipliers. The study also aimed to analyze the profitability of Irish potato production. The results showed that certified seed varieties, such as Asante and Sherekea, had a higher net profit margin compared to local varieties. The study also found that the use of certified seeds and proper GAP practices can increase the yield and profitability of Irish potato production. The study recommended the adoption of certified seed varieties and proper GAP practices to improve the profitability of Irish potato production in the southern highlands of Tanzania.