Rethinking sweet potato value chains in smallholder systems: A perspective from Zimbabwe

Memory Mandaza; Emmanuel  Mwakiwa

doi:10.31849/jip.v22i3.29706

Authors

Memory Mandaza Department of Agribusiness, Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental, and Health Sciences, Women’s University in Africa; 549 Arcturus Road, Harare, Zimbabwe
Emmanuel Mwakiwa Department of Agribusiness Development and Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Environment, and Food Systems, University of Zimbabwe, 630 Churchill Avenue, Harare, Zimbabwe

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31849/jip.v22i3.29706

Keywords:

sweet potato , value chain, smallholder systems, coordination, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Sweet potato plays an important role in supporting food security, nutrition, and livelihoods in smallholder farming systems across sub-Saharan Africa. Despite its agronomic resilience and socio-economic potential, sweet potato often remains marginalised within local and regional agrifood systems. This article presents a perspective on sweet potato value chains in smallholder contexts, using Zimbabwe as an illustrative setting. Rather than reporting empirical findings, the paper reflects on structural and institutional challenges that constrain value chain performance, particularly weak coordination among actors, limited value addition, and the dominance of informal market arrangements. Drawing on practice-informed insights and existing literature, this perspective argues that conventional value chain interventions that prioritise production gains alone are insufficient. Greater attention is required to address coordination gaps, stakeholder linkages, and enabling environments that shape how value is created and distributed. The article concludes by outlining key considerations for rethinking value chain strategies aimed at enhancing the inclusiveness, resilience, and sustainability of sweet potato-based smallholder systems.

References

Stoian, D., Donovan, J., Fisk, J., & Muldoon, M. F. (2016). Value chain development for rural poverty reduction: a reality check and a warning. Innovation for inclusive value-chain development: Successes and challenges, 75-92.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2021). Sustainable agri-food value chains How policies can support the shift towards more resilient food systems. FAO. https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/ac5cd783-8207-46b0-ab8d-b61858796fdd/content

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). (2023). Developing sustainable and resilient agrifood value chains in conflict-prone and conflict-affected contexts. Practitioner guidelines for selection, analysis and design. FAO. Cairo. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc6662en

Humphrey, J., & Navas‐Alemán, L. (2010). Value chains, donor interventions and poverty reduction: A review of donor practice. IDS Research Reports, 2010(63), 1-106. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2040-0217.2010.00063_2.x

Kudita, S. (2023). Zimbabwe: Integrated model to promote nutrient enriched staple foods (Case study). https://www.harvestplus.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Zimbabwe-Case-Study.pdf

Labarta, R., Lybbert, T. J., & Stevenson, J. (2025). Estimating the reach of biofortified crops to farm households: The HarvestPlus model vs. national sampling and genotyping in Uganda (Technical Note No. 11). https://cgspace.cgiar.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/07841e97-981a-47bc-a339-4d6f251868c2/content?utm_source

Lindqvist-Kreuze, H., Mwanga, R. O. M., Barker, I., & Andrade, M. (2023). Potato and sweetpotato breeding and seed systems at the International Potato Center. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14, 1187349. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1187349

Ma, M., & Sexton, R. J. (2021). Modern agricultural value chains and the future of smallholder farming systems. Agricultural Economics, 52(4), 591-606. https://doi.org/10.1111/agec.12637

Makhubu, F. N., Moyo, B., & Dube, E. (2024). Trends and gaps in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) production and value chain development in sub-Saharan Africa. Sustainability, 16(4), 1762. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041762

Mishra, V., Kumar, A., & Singh, S. (2024). Collaboration in agricultural value chains: A scoping review of the evidence from developing countries. Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, 15(6), 1168-1192. https://doi.org/10.1108/JADEE-12-2023-0311

Munyaka, J. C. B., Gallay, O., Hlal, M., Mutandwa, E., & Chenal, J. (2024). Optimizing the sweet potato supply chain in Zimbabwe using discrete event simulation: A focus on production, distribution, and market dynamics. Sustainability, 16(21), 9166. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219166

OECD & Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2020). Implementation plan for the OECD–FAO Guidance on Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains (2020–2022). OECD Publishing. https://one.oecd.org/document/TAD/CA(2020)3/FINAL/en/pdf

Ola, O. O. (2020). Linking smallholder farmers to modern agricultural value chains (Doctoral dissertation, Technische Universität München). https://d-nb.info/122042384X/34

Ørtenblad, S. B., Larsen, M. N., Bruun, T. B., & Ortiz-Gonzalo, D. (2023). Smallholder Participation in Modernising Agri-Food Value Chains in Thailand: The Role of Traditional Markets. The European Journal of Development Research, 35(6), 1419-1439. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41287-023-00587-9

World Health Organization. (2025). Guideline on fortification of edible oils and fats with vitamins A and D. WHO. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240087636

World Health Organization. (2024). Micronutrients: Vitamin A deficiency. WHO. https://www.who.int/health-topics/vitamin-a-deficiency