Success in Irish Potato Production: A Guide for College Students and the Zimbabwean Farmer

Zimbabwe's potato farming is faced with numerous challenges, this module was therefore developed to highlight the nature and magnitude of such challenges and suggest possible remedy to boost production. The national production like the rest of the Sub-Sahara Region is far below the potential, largely due to limited use of certified seeds, low application of fertilizers and other organic amendments, and low use of fungicides and other production chemicals. Potato production should be encouraged even at very small-scale level such as backyard gardening because the returns from potatoes are comparatively good. Potatoes are easy to grow but they require a lot of care. Marketing problems bedevilling potato industry include lack of organized channels in which farmers have no power. The channel is controlled by cartels, which shield producers from receiving any market information. There is a lot of handling and in the process the producer's share in the final price of the commodity is minimal. Transport of potatoes to the market is expensive due to poor road infrastructure in the producing areas especially the newly Fast Track Resettlement Areas.