Calkins, P.H. and Tu, S.H. (1978) White potato production in Taiwan: a farm survey. Other. Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center (AVRDC), Taiwan.
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Abstract
In 1977, a survey was conducted of 50 producers of cool-season white potato in Taichung district, where over 80% of the area planted to potato in Taiwan is concentrated. Although the AVRDC's long-range goal is to develop heat-tolerant cultivars so that white potatoes could be grown in periods other than the cool season, it was first necessary to understand the present productivity, motivations, and problems of farmers in the cool season. The objectives of the survey were to : (1) determine the present yield and profitability of white potato; (2) understand why farmers plant potatoes even with current low price; (3) estimate a rational price level that would stimulate farmers to increase their potato cultivated area; (4) determine the extent of blight incidence and resulting yield loss; (5) explore the effect of planting date on yield and price; (6) determine an appropriate level of production technology to maximize profits; (7) suggest how planted area in Taiwan could be increased to meet consumer demand. Analysis of the results showed that the white potato has tremendous potential for supplying calories and protein to the people of Taiwan, but that it still occupies only 2.1% of the area planted to vegetables. A government effort in 1975 and 1976 increased production markedly, but higher levels of exports, largely to Singapore and Hongkong, resulted in a slight decline in production available per caput. Yield of table white potato was highest in the middle season, when price was lowest, and on sandy loam soil. Total production costs were highest in the early season, when farm income was also highest. Net return, however, was greatest in the late season, because farmers in that season had proportionately higher non-cash costs. The following conclusions were drawn: (i) soil type, season and cultivar all significantly influence yield; (ii) producers of seed potatoes have greater production costs than producers of table potatoes; (iii) the order of field preparation and ploughing significantly influences yields and profit; (iv) farmers consider disease the most serious production problem; (v) most farmers grow white potatoes because they lack other alternatives
| Item Type: | Monograph (Other) |
|---|---|
| Author Affiliation: | Associate Agricultural Economist and Research Assistant, Respectively, AVRDC |
| Subjects: | Plant Production > Croping Systems Plant Production > Farming Systems |
| Divisions: | Other Crops |
| Depositing User: | Ms K Syamalamba |
| Date Deposited: | 23 Oct 2012 06:37 |
| Last Modified: | 23 Oct 2012 06:37 |
| URI: | http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/8500 |
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