Small scale agro-enterprises provide opportunities for income generation: sweetpotato flour in East Java, Indonesia
Peters, D.; Wheatley, C.
Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture 36(4): 331-352
1997
Document Number: 421068
Sweet potato processing was identified as a potential value-adding agro-enterprise to increase rural income in East Java, Indonesia. A pre-feasibility study was conducted, linking sweet potato production with processing and marketing using data from between 74 and 97 households in three villages, each in different districts. Data were collected on sweet potato production (calendar, costs, prices, and profits for 1995) to determine fresh root prices at which sweet potato would be competitive with alternative crops (rice, maize, and groundnuts). Participatory processing trials were conducted with farmers on-farm in 1996 in two villages (Togokan and Kenongo) to determine labour inputs and processing costs, and identify the problems and opportunities associated with the processing procedures. Sweet potato flour was used in trials of products (noodles, bread, cake, and various snacks) with flour-enterprises, helping to identify the flour quality required by users, substitution rates, and the prices users are willing to pay for the flour. A synthesis of results from these production, processing, and marketing studies indicated that Kenongo village in Malang district had the greatest potential to profit from such an enterprise. Investigations into the sociological and agronomic aspects of the village further confirmed this possibility. However, the study also identified two technical considerations (flour colour (browning during processing) and fresh root:flour conversion rate) that need to be addressed before pilot flour production can be justified. Based on these findings, follow-up technical research on control of browning during processing and conversion rate enhancement was recommended for Kenongo, involving a local womens group.