Massey Documents by Type

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/294

Browse

Filters

20182

Settings

Subject: search.filters.subject.Sweet potato industry

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Extending the knowledge system and food value of kumala (lpomoea batatas or sweetpotato) in Vanuatu as a response to climate change : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Horticultural Science at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2018) Setak, Patricia
    Loss of traditional knowledge in food production is a major problem occurring in many countries due to modernization and globalization. Additionally, further compelled by the impacts of climate change, this can have a devastating effect on the livelihood of people. As a result, farmers are therefore compelled to revive the use of traditional knowledge in food production especially its blended use with contemporary knowledge in adapting to and mitigating climate change impacts. The aim of this study is to identify the contribution of traditional knowledge of kumala (Ipomoea batatas) production in sustaining the livelihoods of people in Vanuatu. The target population of this study was kumala farmers in two villages: Lorevulko and Sara 1 in East Santo, Vanuatu where qualitative data using semi-structured interviews was obtained. A literature review was also undertaken on kumala production in other countries where kumala is commonly grown. The younger generations should be educated on traditional knowledge and skills, and efforts should be made to document traditional knowledge. Traditional knowledge is being used in the pre-production activities of kumala such as planting calendar, site selection, land clearing and soil preparation. Both knowledge systems are used in the production of kumala for example in kumala cultivar selection, division of labour, planting, crop maintenance, preparation and management of kumala during droughts and cyclones. In addition, both traditional and contemporary knowledge are used in post-production of kumala in different storage methods such as field, bag, basket, and food bed. Overall, the findings in this study confirm compelling evidence that traditional knowledge contributes towards the sustainable livelihood of the people in Lorevulko and Sara 1. It shows that there is an assimilation of knowledge systems and they create a cultural output that is unique to location and time, and provides a good example of cultural dynamics which never stand still and which respond to environmental and other pressures. Findings from this research will contribute immensely in improving food security at the household and national level in Vanuatu, and generate sustainable income for farmers and livelihoods for farmers. Researchers can also use the findings of this study as a basis to undertake further studies on traditional knowledge of kumala in Vanuatu. Moreover, the results will be useful for informing and influencing government policy and farming practices.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Exploring the opportunities in the sweetpotato value chain in diversifying the Nigerian economy : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of AgriCommerce at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2018) Adesina, Adebowale
    Nigeria is the second largest producer of sweetpotato in the world and the largest producer in Africa. However, the total average yields of sweetpotato in Nigeria is comparatively low (2.6 tons per hectare) when compared to the rest of Africa (9.6 tons per hectare) and the world (16 tons per hectare). Furthermore, Nigeria is not ranked among the top 150 global exporters of sweetpotato, and the unavailability of markets has been reported to as one of the primary constraints to sweetpotato production in Nigeria. The aim of this study is therefore to explore the opportunities in the sweetpotato value chain that can contribute to the development of the Nigerian economy. A structured questionnaire survey was used to obtain information from 115 farmers who were selected through non-probability convenience sampling. The findings from the structured questionnaire were complemented by an open-ended face-to-face interview. The analysis of the findings involved descriptive and inferential statistics. With the aid of the descriptive statistics, the contributing factors to the low yield of sweetpotato were identified along with the constraints to market access and market opportunities for sweetpotato nationally and internationally. The inferential analysis using the binary logistic model was used to determine the factors that had a significant influence on the yield of sweetpotato. The constraints identified that limit the production and yield of sweetpotato farmers included: inadequate market outlets to sell increased quantity of sweetpotato; high incidence of pest and diseases; scarcity of vines for planting; lack of knowledge on pest and disease management; lack of access to financial capital to buy farm inputs and carry out necessary farm activities; early spoilage of sweetpotato roots after harvest; lack of storage facilities to increase the shelf life of harvested sweetpotato; inadequate rainfall; grazing of cattle by herdsmen on sweetpotato farms; difficulty in getting farm labourers and inadequate access to farm machinery. The empirical results of the binary logistic regression indicated that farmers age, level of formal education, gender, cultivated land area, access to extension services access to market information and membership of a farmers group all had significant positive effect on the yield of sweetpotato farmers except farmers age which had a significant negative impact on the yield of farmers. Addressing the constraint to sweetpotato production and market access had the potential to increase farmers’ productivity, annual income and access to the high-value market, alleviate poverty and contribute to the economic development of Nigeria.