Abstract

Mahlet Abitew, Bezabih Emana, Mengistu Ketema, Jeffreyson K. Mutimba and Jemal Yousuf

Potato is an important vegetable that is produced for food security and income generation. Both men and
women households are the major actors in potato production and marketing. However, there are different
factors that affect the households' production and supply. In this regard, various research results have
identified major causes that hinder sufficient production and marketing. But the results do not reveal the
gender difference among households in the production and marketing. The analysis of this study is based
on a survey of 400 household heads from three randomly selected districts of Eastern Hararghe zone.
Descriptive statistics and linear regression model with Ordinary Least Square were used to analyze
determinates of supply. Result of the descriptive statistics showed that there are differences between
households in terms of age, dependency ratio, access to market information and quantity produced. The
estimate of OLS result reveals that, the amount of potato produced, livestock holding and farming
experience are some of the significant variables that affect the households’ level of potato supply positively
and negatively at different probability levels. Hence, identifying the various factors in the production and
supply of potato will help the households in maximizing their benefit and improve their capacity.