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Crop Value Chains: Sweet Potatoes in Uganda

EPAR RESEARCH BRIEF #217

Wed, 01/23/2013

AUTHORS: Claire Kpaka, C. Leigh Anderson, Mary Kay Gugerty

ABSTRACT: 

Uganda is the biggest sweet potato producer in Africa in terms of area harvested and production, although Burundi, Rwanda and Madagascar have significantly higher yields.  Sweet potato is a major crop in Uganda, ranking third in cultivated area following plantains and cassava. Sweet potato ranks fourth in gross agricultural production value. The Government of Uganda has recognized sweet potatoes as an important crop for the country and a research priority, especially through establishing the National Agricultural Research Organization potato center. This report provides a general overview of the sweet potato value chain in Uganda. The first section describes trends in sweet potato production and consumption since 1996. The second section describes the varieties grown and their uses. The final section summarizes current practices and constraints in production, processing, and marketing.

This report is part of a broader series of reports on crop value chains. Follow the links below to explore the other reports in this series:

  • Crop Value Chains: Wheat Global Analysis (EPAR Technical Report #199)
  • Crop Value Chains: Wheat in Bihar, India (EPAR Technical Report #202)
  • Crop Value Chains: Wheat in Bangladesh (EPAR Technical Report #203)
  • Crop Value Chains: Wheat in Ethiopia (EPAR Technical Report #204)
  • Crop Value Chains: Yams in Ghana (EPAR Technical Report #206)
  • Crop Value Chains: Yams in Nigeria (EPAR Technical Report #207)
  • Crop Value Chains: Sweet Potatoes in Tanzania (EPAR Technical Report #211)
  • Crop Value Chains: Sweet Potatoes in Ethiopia (EPAR Research Brief #219)
  • Crop Value Chains: Sweet Potatoes in Nigeria (EPAR Technical Report #220)
  • Crop Value Chains: Cassava Global Analysis (EPAR Technical Report #223)
  • Crop Value Chains: Bananas and Plantains in West Africa (EPAR Technical Report #239)

TYPE OF RESEARCH: Literature Review

RESEARCH TOPIC CATEGORY: Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Livelihoods; Agricultural Inputs & Farm Management; Market & Value Chain Analysis

GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS: East Africa Region and Selected Countries

DATASET(S): FAOSTAT

Downloadable Documents

Full Report