USAID-STAMP Snapshot: Smallholder Farmer Becomes Certified Seed Producer

One of the main constraints facing potato growers is the lack of access to high-quality seed, which has limited the earning potential of smallholder farmers. To address this challenge, STAMP is working with 245 potato farmers, 20 of whom will become registered seed growers. Godfrey Muwi, a smallholder farmer from the Nyanga district, is the first program-assisted farmer to be approved as a seed potato producer. Muwi was able to meet all the criteria for certified seed production, including minimum rotation periods, isolation bands, pest and disease control, and ensuring all plants are true to type. His crop recently passed a final inspection, and he is guaranteed the sale price of $24 per 30 kilogram bag of seed. With an expected yield of more than five tons this harvest, Muwi stands to net more than $3,000 after paying off his initial investment of $986. Certified seed potato production has higher earning potential than growing table potatoes alone, but has long been the domain of large-scale producers. STAMP's partnership with the Seed Potato Co-op is helping smallholder farmers enter this lucrative business. By following good agricultural practices learned from STAMP, Muwi will be able to produce at least two crops per year. His yields of 21 tons per hectare are on par with large commercial producers, who yield between 25 and 40 tons per hectare. The success of Muwi and other farmers is proving that they too have the potential to produce and sell high-value goods, creating a sustainable cycle of economic development. STAMP is also working with table potato growers in the area to help improve their yields and incomes through the introduction of good agricultural practices. These growers expect to achieve a 50 percent increase in yield. The program's goal is to increase the income of smallholder farmers and improve their access to markets. The partnership between STAMP and the Seed Potato Co-op is a key component of the program's strategy to address the challenge of high-quality seed. By working with smallholder farmers to meet the stringent requirements for seed production, STAMP is helping to increase the availability of high-quality seed and improve the earning potential of smallholder farmers. The program's success is expected to have a positive impact on the rural economy and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.