Characteristics of fresh (ware) potato traders in Nairobi and Nakuru towns, Kenya

1. Characteristics of fresh (ware) potato traders in Nairobi and Nakuru towns, Kenya 3rd International e-Conference on Agricultural Biosciences (IeCAB) 1-15 June 2010

2. Authors George O. Abong’1, Michael W. Okoth1 and Jackson N. Kabira2 1Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Technology, University of Nairobi; 2National Potato Research Centre (KARI), Tigoni, Kenya. Corresponding author: Email: georkoyo@yahoo.com; Phone: 254735508558

3. Introduction Roots and tubers, notably potatoes, cassava, sweet potato and yam are among the most important crops. They play a critical role in the global food system, particularly in the developing countries (Ochieng’, 2007; Rosegrant et al. 2000). Potato being an important food crop in Kenya employs over 2.5 million people along it value chain (Songa, 2010). The potato market in Kenya lacks a well defined structure and it faces various limitations that require urgent redress. Potatoes are mainly consumed when boiled, fried or mashed. Urban inhabitants are the major potato consumers.

4. Introduction... Beyond farms, potato industry employs thousands as market agents, transporters, processors and vendors. Crop value at consumer prices is more than KSh.10 billion/year (currently 1 USD = Ksh. 78). Fresh potato market is a major source of raw materials for processors; the small-scale crisps processors in Kenya. The processors often complain of scarcity of good quality raw potato tubers. An explanation has not been given from the producers or sellers’ point of view. This study aimed to characterize potato sellers in terms of location, volume of sale, customer base, sources of information, variety most traded, demand and supply variations and handling practices by the traders.

5. Materials and Methods This study was carried out between March and April 2010. Nairobi and Nakuru cities were purposively selected for the study since they have large number of markets that sold potatoes intended for processing. The sellers’ sample size was determined according to Nassiuma (2004). A total of 169 potato sellers were surveyed, data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 11.5. Chi-squire analysis was performed to check if there were any hidden relationships.

6. Results and discussions • 25 % of the respondents were located in Nakuru town and 75 % in Nairobi. • 70 % depended on fresh potato trade as the only source of income compared to 30 % who also had additional sources. • The average daily sales was 200 kg; in monetary value ranging from Ksh. 5000-31,500. (currently 1 USD = Kshs. 78). • Traders acquired fresh potatoes in 110 kg bags at average price of Kshs. 1, 650; range Kshs. 800-4500. • Use of extended bags: 20-180 kg at KSHs. 1,000 -6,000 reported. • The traders then sold the fresh potatoes in the same units or repackaged them into smaller units.

7. Results and discussions… The unit sale and average costs of fresh (ware) potatoes are in Table 1. Prices are significantly (P ≤ 0.05) low during high supply (harvesting) and highest during low supply seasons. Demand varied highly (99 %) with seasons and was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) correlated (r= - 0.96) to the supply (Figure 1). The main customers were individuals who bought the produce for home consumption. Other customers included wholesalers and small-scale processors (23 %) and outside catering (21 %); kiosks and supermarkets were the least buyers at 3 and 0 %, respectively.

8. Table 1: Variations in sale weights and prices of fresh (ware) potatoes in the markets. FFigure 2: Seasonal variation of fresh potato demand and supply Potato varieties currently used by Kenyan potato crisps processors

9. Results and discussions… Varieties traded were Cangi (42 %), Tigoni (27 %), Dutch Robjyn (8 %), Roslin Tana (8%) , Nyayo and Meru (4 %). Sources of information on improved technologies and available varieties in the market were found to be varied (Figure 2). Researchers need to improve their relationship with traders in post-harvest handling and storage of fresh potatoes. 60 %stored fresh (ware) potatoes for 1-3 weeks in gunny bags at their premises. Most traders exposed potatoes to sunlight oblivious of the danger posed by greening the produce. Most traders (89 %) reported storage losses due to rotting (69 %) and greening (31 %) while 11 % reported no loss. Care is needed on selecting potatoes, green ones ought to be avoided (Kabira and Lemaga, 2006).

10. Figure 2: Sources of information for fresh potato traders in Nairobi and Nakuru markets

11. Conclusions and recommendations A majority of fresh potato sellers were located in Nairobi while a few were in Nakuru. A large number of respondents traded in potatoes as the only source of income. Demand for fresh potatoes by customers is highly dependent on seasons being low during the harvesting seasons. Most traders stored fresh potatoes for short periods in gunny bags at their premises; losses due to rotting and greening were reported. Traders lacked proper skills of handling and storage of fresh potatoes which are needed to prevent such losses. The gap in potato handling and storage skills could be bridged through appropriate training of the traders.

12. Acknowledgements University of Nairobi DAAD Nairobi office National Potato Research Centre (KARI, Tigoni)