Contribution of extension services towards sweet potato utilization among producers and consumers in Homabay and Kisumu Counties, Kenya

Abstract

Sweet potato has sparked global debate due to its unique dietary benefits and characteristics, such as tuber storage, growth at different times of the year, and flesh colour variation. Sweet potatoes have been proposed as a food crop to aid in the reduction of food insecurity in Kenya. Both consumers and farmers currently consume the crop in various ways, including boiling, steaming, roasting, and frying the fresh roots. Aside from the traditional sweet potato norm, various value additions have emerged, resulting in an increase in demand in Kenya over the years. However, despite its importance in both mitigating food security and providing dietary nutritional benefits, sweet potato consumption in the country remains low. However, it is unknown whether what farmers produce corresponds to what consumers demand, and the role of extension in bridging any demand-supply gaps that may exist. This begs the critical question of whether both farmers and consumers are aware of its benefits and various value-added processes, which are solely the responsibility of extension service providers. As a result, the study evaluated the role of extension services in promoting sweet potato product utilization among farmers and consumers in Kenya‘s Homabay and Kisumu counties. The study specifically looked into the different sweet potato value-added products produced by farmers and available to consumers, traits which influence the production and utilization of sweet potato products by producers and consumers and the role of extension system in utilization of sweet potato products by farmers and consumers in Homabay and Kisumu counties. The study employed a descriptive research design, with a sample of 120 respondents (52 farmers and 68 consumers of sweet potato). Data from a semi-structured questionnaire were cross-tabulated, and responses were tested for significance using an independent samples t-test. The information gathered through key informant interviews was used to triangulate the results. SPK 004 and SPK 20 were found to be the most planted and consumed varieties. Higher percentage of farmers (73%) considered colour when selecting varieties for domestic sale and consumption, a similar percentage (43%) of consumers preferred colour and taste. The study's key findings were that extension influenced the production, marketing, and consumption of sweet potato products by farmers and consumers. Consumer demand for sweet potato products corresponded to products produced, sold, and consumed by farmers. Existing value-added products, however, are primary value-added products, implying a low uptake of tertiary value addition. As a result, extensionists should be strengthened in order to effectively promote and disseminate desirable sweet potato varieties and value-added products to both farmers and consumers