Bioscience Methods 2024, Vol.15, No.6, 327-336 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 333 Cooperatives also facilitate collective marketing efforts, which help smallholder farmers negotiate better prices for their processed goods. In Kenya, farmer groups were shown to have a stronger bargaining power in markets compared to individual farmers, enabling them to secure better deals and more consistent buyers for their value-added products (Orinda et al., 2017). Additionally, cooperatives often provide essential training in business management and quality control, ensuring that farmers can maintain high standards for their products, which further enhances their market competitiveness. By working together, farmers in cooperatives can overcome many of the barriers that traditionally prevent smallholders from entering larger, more lucrative markets. 5.3 Market access and price influence Market access is one of the most significant factors determining the success of value-added sweet potato products. Farmers who are able to reach broader markets, whether through direct sales, contracts with retailers, or cooperative marketing channels, are more likely to see substantial income growth from their value-added products. In Uganda, for example, smallholder farmers who participated in value addition through potato processing experienced a 25% increase in income compared to those selling raw tubers. Market access was particularly enhanced for farmers who had contracts with buyers or worked through farmer groups, which provided a stable and predictable demand for their products (Sebatta et al., 2015). Price influence also plays a critical role in determining the profitability of value-added products. When farmers are able to access urban markets or international markets, where the demand for processed food is higher, they can command better prices for their products. In Ghana, a study on the sweet potato value chain showed that linking farmers to more stable market channels, such as supermarkets and processors, reduced price volatility and improved overall market efficiency (Sugri et al., 2017). Furthermore, collective marketing efforts through cooperatives or associations can help stabilize prices by reducing competition among smallholder farmers and increasing their negotiating power. Additionally, farmers who participate in value addition often benefit from price premiums for processed goods, as these products tend to offer better convenience and longer shelf life to consumers. The development of market infrastructure, such as processing facilities and storage systems, further supports farmers in accessing higher-value markets. Therefore, the combination of value addition, cooperative support, and improved market access plays a pivotal role in enhancing farmers’ income and ensuring the sustainability of sweet potato farming. 6 Case Study: Post-Harvest Processing and Value Addition in Fresh-Eating Sweet Potatoes Post-harvest processing and value addition are essential for improving the economic and nutritional value of sweet potatoes. This case study focuses on specific methods and outcomes of implementing post-harvest processing techniques to enhance the marketability of fresh-eating sweet potatoes. By exploring real-world practices and analyzing the effectiveness of these techniques, the case study highlights the potential for improving smallholder farmers' livelihoods. 6.1 Study location and methods Adeyonu et al. (2017) was conducted in Offa and Oyun local government areas of Kwara State, Nigeria, two regions known for sweet potato production. The areas are characterized by favorable climatic conditions that support sweet potato farming year-round. The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique to select 163 smallholder sweet potato farmers. Data collection involved the use of structured questionnaires, participant observations, and interviews to gather insights into the post-harvest processes and value addition activities undertaken by these farmers (Adeyonu et al., 2017). The farmers were selected based on their participation in sweet potato farming and processing activities. The research aimed to evaluate how value addition through processes like drying, peeling, and frying influenced their income and overall production efficiency. Additionally, focus group discussions were held with farmers to identify challenges and opportunities in the value addition process. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Heckman two-stage model to evaluate the determinants of value addition in sweet potato farming.
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