Study on sweet potato market behaviour in supporting food security

Abstract

Sweet potato has an important role in food security. In the future, the demand for sweet potatoes will become higher. However, there has not been any significant awareness of sweet potatoes' importance; moreover, it is considered an inferior commodity. New improved varieties of sweet potato having high beta-carotene, namely Beta 1 and high anthocyanins, Antin 2 and Antin 3 are already available. Besides, Pating 2 has high starch and dry matter (> 30%) as well as high potential yield (30-40 t ha-1). Sweet potato condition is indicated by its market behaviour described by market elasticity and integration. Sweet potato demand is inelastic, and the price level is inversely proportional to demand quantity. The cross elasticity showed rice was the strongest substitute for sweet potato. The negative value of income elasticity meant the decrease of sweet potato consumption would follow the increase in income. Similarly, the integration of production centres inter-regional market has not been well ordered, distorting product distribution. Suggestions for the sweet potato market included exploiting its potential as a functional food by promoting and community education, diversifying the products, structuring the market for distributional purpose, creating market regulation, issuing price stabilization policy, and improving marketing infrastructures.