Bioscience Methods 2024, Vol.15, No.6, 327-336 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 332 Storage time before processing is critical in maintaining the quality of sweet potatoes. Longer storage durations can lead to sprouting or microbial spoilage, reducing the final quality of the processed products. Additionally, the duration and method of cooking or drying sweet potatoes, such as roasting or boiling, can also significantly impact the texture, flavor, and nutritional value of the final product (Yvonne and Pontsho, 2023). 4.3 Impact of technological improvements on value addition (e.g., mechanical harvesting and slicing machines) Technological advancements have greatly improved the efficiency of sweet potato processing, especially for smallholder farmers. Mechanical harvesting tools and slicing machines reduce labor costs and time, allowing for faster and more uniform processing of sweet potatoes. These technologies help streamline the production of value-added products such as chips and flour, which require precise cutting and drying (Fatmala, 2021). Moreover, improvements in drying technologies, such as vacuum drying and the use of ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration, have enhanced the ability to preserve nutrients and maintain the quality of sweet potato products. These methods improve the efficiency of processing by reducing drying times and retaining higher levels of antioxidants and vitamins, which would otherwise degrade under traditional methods (Oladejo and Ma, 2016). The adoption of mechanical processing equipment has been shown to significantly improve the profitability of sweet potato products, making it easier for farmers to enter larger markets (Oluoch et al., 2016). 5 Impact of Sweet Potato Value Addition on Farmers' Income Value addition in agriculture, particularly for sweet potato farming, is a transformative approach that helps farmers boost their income, improve market access, and increase the overall economic value of their produce. Through value-added processing, farmers can transform raw sweet potatoes into a variety of products such as flour, chips, and puree, significantly increasing their earning potential. This section explores the substantial impact of value addition on farmers' income, with a focus on the role of cooperatives and market access in enhancing profitability (Fang, 2024b). 5.1 Contribution of value-added processing to farmers' earnings Value addition in agriculture, particularly for sweet potato farming, is a transformative approach that helps farmers boost their income, improve market access, and increase the overall economic value of their produce. Through value-added processing, farmers can transform raw sweet potatoes into a variety of products such as flour, chips, and puree, significantly increasing their earning potential. This section explores the substantial impact of value addition on farmers' income, with a focus on the role of cooperatives and market access in enhancing profitability (Sugri et al., 2017; Fatmala, 2021). The income earned from processed products is also more stable compared to that from raw sweet potatoes, which are more susceptible to price fluctuations. In Kenya’s Homa Bay County, farmers who added value to their sweet potato crops through processing observed a steady increase in their income due to the high demand for processed products like chips and flour (Oluoch et al., 2016). The steady income provided by value addition also allows farmers to reinvest in their farms, improve their living conditions, and secure better education for their children. Value addition not only enhances income but also reduces post-harvest losses, which is crucial for regions with limited access to storage and transport facilities. 5.2 Role of agricultural cooperatives and farmer groups in value addition Agricultural cooperatives and farmer groups play a crucial role in the success of value addition for smallholder farmers. These groups offer collective support in terms of training, resource pooling, access to technology, and market connections, making it easier for farmers to adopt value-added practices. For many smallholder farmers, joining cooperatives provides them with the infrastructure needed to process sweet potatoes and the knowledge required to implement value addition techniques effectively. For instance, in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, research indicated that membership in farmer associations significantly increased the likelihood of farmers engaging in value-added activities, such as drying or converting sweet potatoes into flour and chips (Ejechi, 2023). These cooperatives enable members to access credit, which is crucial for investing in processing equipment, packaging materials, and transportation.
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