Value Chains research report Tajikistan final - Microfinance Centre

Table 34: Export of potato, 2010
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Volume of export, tons 6 280 0 358 273
Amount of export, thousand USD 1 46 0 68 48
Source: State Statistic Agency of Tajikistan
Functions in the Value Chain
Potato is one of the most important cash crops. Potato is grown in subsistence as well
as commercial households.
Farmers
Three types of production system can be observed: I) Subsistence production, II) small
scale commercial production and III) Large scale commercial production. Subsistence
production is carried out for household consumption and produced in small quantities.
The produce from the first category of farmers generally does not enter the market or
enters in a very limited quantity especially in the local market. Small and large-scale
commercial farmers sell most of their produce to various market intermediaries. The
producers generally deal with traders and wholesalers (See value chain map).
Traders
Small traders residing in the same village and producers are occasionally involved in
potato marketing. These traders are frequent visitors of wholesale markets and keep
good relation with producers and wholesaler. Generally they deal with small quantity at
a time owing to their small amount of capital. To some extent, these traders are aware
of price information and generally they do not take any risk of loss because only after
knowing the assembly market price they make purchase in the village. Frequently such
trader brings some foods and barter with small household for their potato.
Wholesalers
Traders purchase potato from commercial farmers who have scale of production and
village level traders who generally functions like collector. These traders are retailers of
foodstuff and other goods of basic needs. Generally they have permanent costumers/
farmers who occasionally purchase foodstuff and other requirements of daily need.
However, such traders are specialized vegetable traders who function for wholesale
markets and deals in big quantities. These traders generally sell their produce to the
wholesale markets. Grading and packing function is generally carried out by the traders
who buy the stock from the farmers. Grading and packing is carried out in the farmers
field itself and paid by the traders. The grading and packing is carried out in the traders’
premises.
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