Strategy for developing a national potato program for Rwanda
1982
Zaag, P.V. (Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Rwanda, Butare)
The potato, which was introduced into Rwanda about 1900, has become a major food crop in only the past 35 years. Production per unit of land is low (6.8 t/ha) because of a lack of quality seed potatoes of adapted varieties; infections from Phytophthora infestans and Pseudomonas solanacearum; poor agronomic practices; poor preparation of seed potatoes; and an acute lack of technical knowledge among extension personnel and farmers. The Programme national pour l'amelioration de la pomme de terre (PNAP) was established to help remove these constraints to production. A research program with a practical approach to solving problems has been established along with a strong seed production, training, and extension program. The results after 1 year have been encouraging. On one hand, farmers are accepting seed production and storage techniques and see the utility of using fungicides and improved varieties in controlling P. infestans, and, on the other, PNAP scientists have gained valuable information from rural contacts
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