Page 78 - Agriculture Form Two

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

Chapter

Five Round potato production

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Introduction

In this chapter, you will learn the principles and practices of producing round
potatoes. The competencies developed will enable you to produce, process, store,
market, and keep records when producing round potatoes. You will also explore
various opportunities in the value chain of potato production.

Think

“Popular chicken chips preferred by most young people.”

Round potato and its importance
The round potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), also known as the Irish potato, is
an annual crop belonging to the Solanaceae family. The crop is grown for its
tuber (an underground stem) (refer Figure 5.1 (b)). In Tanzania, round potato is
cultivated in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania (Mbeya, Iringa, and Njombe
regions), Kagera region, Arusha, and Tanga (Usambara mountains). Round
potatoes are rich in starch, protein, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, and trace
elements (boron, manganese, copper, iron, and zinc).

Due to an increasing population globally, the demand for round potato products
is expanding rapidly. In Tanzania, round potatoes are essential for food security
and improve nutrition, employment, and income.

Classification of round potato varieties

Round potatoes are classified according to their uses. Table varieties are mainly
for cooking, mashing, roasting, baking, and stewing. They are generally cultivated

70 Student’s Book Form Two

04/10/2024 18:07
Agriculture form 2.indd 70 04/10/2024 18:07
Agriculture form 2.indd 70