This brief, which is an extract from the main study, analyzes the seed potato supply gap to inform investment decisions and to shape the formulation of the sub-regional potato zonal investment plan (ZIP). Quality potato production in the Kigezi sub-region is currently experiencing major problems. The production is affected by a shortage in seed potato. These shortfalls in supply has three dimensions (i) the limited volumes of clean seed produced, and (ii) inadequacies in the supply of the right potato varieties – to support industrial level processing of potato into crisps and quality frozen chips. A mix of both primary and secondary (FAO stat) data are used to quantify the volumes and value of basic seed potato produced through the certified sources: the Kachwekano Zonal Agricultural Research Development Institute (KAZARDI), and the private foundation seed potato multipliers. Currently it is estimated that the country needs to produce about 25,400 metric tons of quality seed worth Ugx 28.1 Billion (US$ 8.2 million) which is about 34 % of the required amounts. In addition, some of the seed supplied by private seed producers is of low quality; only 47 % of the seed multipliers are registered, which points to the weaknesses in the seed regulatory system.
