Md. Tanvir Ahmed

Sweet potato plays a significant role in increasing food security and income for the poor farmers of Bangladesh. Sweet potato is mostly grown in the marginal lands of Bangladesh during the period of October to February. It is consumed in different forms e.g. boiled, fries and roasted. Sometimes it is also eaten as a vegetable in curry. The value chain of sweet potato is not well organized in Bangladesh. This study was carried out to analyze the existing value chain of sweet potato in two selected districts of Bangladesh. Quota sampling technique was used to select the samples and primary data were collected through Individual Interview (II), Key Informant Interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) by using structured, open and close ended Questionnaires and check list. Simple descriptive statistics were used to analysis the data. Core value chain actors in sweet potato value chain are input seller, farmers, local trader, retailer and consumers. Mostly farmer cultivates local variety of sweet potato and get a profit around BDT (Bangladesh currency) 30,000 per acre of land. Local trader collects sweet potato both from farmer’s field and local market. There are no fixed traders or retailers of sweet potato in the study area. They mostly sell sweet potato along with other vegetables in both urban and local big market. Analysis found that both the trader and retailer gets BDT 3 profit margin by selling 1 kg of sweet potato. No sweet potato processing company was found in Bangladesh though there are huge possibilities and potentials of it in both rural and urban market.

In Bangladesh sweet potato is the 4th most important source of carbohydrate after rice, wheat and potato. The study was conducted to determine the profitability and resources use efficiency of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Poir) in Bangladesh. This study also aimed to find the factors affecting gross return of sweet potato production. A total of 100 farmers were selected from the study area through stratified random sampling technique and face to face interview was conducted to collect primary data. The cost and return analysis indicated that per hectare net return from sweet potato was 82,758.93 BDT (Bangladesh Taka). Benefit cost ratio (BCR) was found 1.97. Labor and vine cost accounted for the 48% and 28% of the total cost, respectively. Cobb-Douglas production function was used to determine the factors affecting gross return of sweet potato. The result showed that farm size, cost of vine, cost of land preparation and cost of labor have positive impact on gross return. Sweet potato cultivation is more sensitive to the output price which can be compensated by increasing yield. Resource use efficiency analysis revealed that farmers are not efficient in using resources in sweet potato production. Vine, land preparation, fertilizer and labor were underused and therefore increase the use of these resources can maximize profit in sweet potato production in Bangladesh.

Diversification of livelihood activities minimizes households’ vulnerability to shocks by reducing income variability. Livelihoods of rural Bangladesh is encompass both farm and non-farm activities. This study investigated the patterns and extent of diversification of livelihoods in rural areas of Bangladesh. The study drew a random sample of 500 rural farm households in Bangladesh through a multi-stage random sampling technique. The primary data were collected using structured questionnaires coupled with interview schedules and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Simpson index. Result revealed that remittance contributed highest to the household income followed by business and caste occupation, and rice farming. Furthermore results showed that rural Bangladeshi households have diversified their livelihood activities at medium level. The small and medium landholding households are more likely to diversify their livelihoods compared to the functionally-landless and large landholding households. The implication is that non-farm employment opportunities should be expanded to combat poor households’ vulnerability to shocks and income fluctuations. It is also suggested to give more attention to functionally-landless households for increasing and diversifying their income.

Diversification of livelihood activities minimizes  households’ vulnerability to shocks by
reducing income variability. Livelihoods  of  rural Bangladesh  is  encompass  both farm and non-farm activities. This study investigated the patterns and extent of diversification of livelihoods in
rural areas of Bangladesh.  The study drew a random sample of 500 rural farm households in
Bangladesh through a multi-stage random  sampling technique.  The primary data were collected
using structured  questionnaires  coupled with interview schedules  and  the data were analyzed
using  descriptive  statistics  and Simpson index.  Result revealed that  remittance contributed
highest to the household income followed by business and caste occupation, and rice farming.
Furthermore  results showed that rural Bangladeshi households have  diversified their livelihood
activities at medium level.  The  small  and  medium  landholding households  are more  likely to
diversify  their livelihoods  compared to the  functionally-landless and  large landholding
households. The implication is that non-farm employment opportunities should be  expanded  to
combat poor households’ vulnerability to shocks and income fluctuations.  It is also suggested
to give more attention to functionally-landless households for increasing and diversifying their
income.

In Bangladesh  sweet potato is the 4
th
most important source of carbohydrate after rice, wheat
and potato. The study was conducted to determine the profitability and resources use efficiency
of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas  Poir)  in Bangladesh. This study also aimed to  find the factors
affecting gross return of sweet potato production. A total of 100 farmers were selected from the
study area through stratified random sampling technique and  face to face  interview was
conducted  to collect primary data.  The cost and return  analysis  indicated  that per hectare  net
return from sweet potato was  82,758.93 BDT (Bangladesh Taka).  Benefit cost ratio (BCR)  was
found 1.97. Labor  and vine cost accounted for the 48% and 28% of the total cost, respectively.
Cobb-Douglas production function was used to  determine  the  factors affecting  gross return of
sweet potato. The result showed that farm size, cost of vine, cost of land preparation and cost of
labor  have positive impact on  gross return.  Sweet potato cultivation is more sensitive to the
output price which can be compensated by increasing yield. Resource use efficiency analysis
revealed  that farmers are not efficient in using resources  in  sweet potato production. Vine, land
preparation, fertilizer and labor  were underused and  therefore increase  the use of these
resources can maximize profit in sweet potato production in Bangladesh.

The FoodSTART project is a IFAD funded project implemented in five Asian countries namely India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, China and Philippine. The overall goal of this project is to ensure food security through roots and tuber crops. The project has initiated in October 2012 and implemented by international Potato Center (CIP). In Bangladesh BRAC, in partnership with CIP jointly implementing the project. For Bangladesh site the pre selected root crops is Sweetpotato.

The focus sites of FoodSTART project in Bangladesh are Jamalpur and Netrokona district which are situated in the northern part of Bangladesh. Compare to the other district of Bangladesh the selected districts produces higher amount of sweetpotato. In the year 2011-12 total land area covered by sweetpotato cultivation was 1043 ha and 709 ha respectively in Jamalpur and Netrokona district. The average yield of sweetpotato in these two district is 13 MT/ha. There are some Upazilas in each of two districts which are intensively sweetpotato growing area. Most of the farmers in focus districts have been cultivating Sweetpotato on commercial basis. 

On the other hand Jamalpur and Netrokona are most vulnerable districts in terms of poverty and malnutrition. Average family income and per capita food intake of these two districts is below the national average. Sweetpotato production can be a source to secure extra income and nutrition for the people of above mentioned districts as there are huge potential of Sweetpotato cultivation. Both the districts has adequate amount of “Char” land which is suitable for Sweetpotato cultivation. 


CIP is based in Lima, Peru, with regional offices and project activities in some 60 locations across SSA, Asia, and Latin America. CIP conducts research for development on potatoes, sweet potatoes, and Andean root and tuber crops to make them adaptable to different climates, regions, and users' needs. Through productivity gains and quality improvement, CIP strengthens food and nutrition security, increases incomes, improves gender equity and enhances sustainable development for low-income farming families.

IFAD commissioned a value chain analysis study on sweet potato to BRAC in association with CIP to identify the root causes of constraints and opportunities on the chain’s development of two different districts of Bangladesh and also assessing potential environmental and policy impacts on the value chain.

Total 257 samples were surveyed instead of planned 238 from five unions of two sub-districts of Jamalpur and Netrokona districts. Through Secondary Research, Individual Interview, Key Informant interview, and Focus Group Discussion, data were collected from the mentioned sample. The sample type included producers, traders, Government officials (Department of Agricultural Extension officers), input retailers (vine, seed, pesticide and micronutrient) and consumer.

It was found that sweet potato value chain has enormous potential to become a very profitable value chain and benefit the producers if some facilitation can be provided. Available statistics show that a smallholder farmer can earn around BDT 36,000 from 1 acre production of sweet potato; whereas a large farmer can earn around BDT 50,000 from the same acreage production.

The study portrays core value chain actors i.e. input sellers, sweet potato producers, sweet potato traders, sweet potato retailers, sweet potato processors, and the consumers. At the same time, service functions are active by some skill and capacity development organizations (NGOs), agro machine rental service providers, financial service providers (MFIs), and of course the labors.

A number of constraints are found hindering the sector’s growth. Farmers’ low knowledge regarding sweet potato cultivation (usage & dosage of fertilizer, micronutrient & pesticide, disease identification) results in low productivity and additional cost that leads to low income. They lack the knowledge regarding quality/improved vine that restricts them from getting higher yield leading to lower sales value. Lack of awareness & knowledge of farmers (both male & female) regarding loan procedure from FIs, NBFIs or MFIs force them switching to other crops; it results in putting off the practice of sweet potato cultivation in the surveyed regions.  The study also indicates that sweet potato farmers do not get fair prices due to market syndication formed by market intermediaries – Faria ( Petty Traders are locally called Faria), Bapari ( Big traders are locally called Bapari) and Retailers.

To overcome these constraints and grab the opportunities, several interventions can be designed and implemented. To improve the sweet potato value chain, improved cultivation technique through input supplying companies (vine, pesticides, micronutrients), entrepreneurship development from the producer groups through Entrepreneurship Development Training (the objective is to break the shackle of current marketing system specially to check the market intermediaries to ensure the fair price for other producer groups), and centralized market information system for improved vine production & preservation technique can be undertaken. In addition to these, to ensure timely and adequate supply of OFSP (Orange fleshed sweet potato) vines, a country wide or region specific market campaign to promote sweet potato and vegetables, can be established. Making forum to building trust and cooperation among the market actors, working with producer groups to develop rural processing enterprises, forming strong ‘Producer Groups’ for better training and extension, collective action for attaining bargaining power etc are also recommended to develop sweet value chain for the target regions.

After this study, it has been found that sweet potato value chain has very good potential to benefit the farmers of the area if only some constraints are addressed properly and some opportunities are grabbed in time. These interventions can address a good number of direct & indirect beneficiaries ensuring their increased income as well as ensure proper nutrition.