Efficient fertilization and well-timed irrigation boost potato yields

AGRICULTURAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE: BRIEF 2

Potatoes are the primary cash crop in the Central Highlands of Afghanistan. Yields are consistently low, averaging less than 12 tonnes per hectare. In 2011, CRS began addressing production issues beginning with seed storage1 using a behavior change approach. Using simple seed selection and store-ventilation practices, storage losses were reduced to less than 5 percent from more than 40 percent, and the improved-quality seed from these stores yielded 30 percent more than the farmers’ own traditionally handled seed. Farmers were encouraged by the simplicity and effectiveness of the behavior change approach2 and were keen to address new production challenges.

 

AGRICULTURAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE BRIEFS: INTRODUCTION
AGRICULTURAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE: BRIEF 1
AGRICULTURAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE: BRIEF 3
AGRICULTURAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE: BRIEF 4
AGRICULTURAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE: BRIEF 5