Irish Potato
The One Pager Business Plan for Irish Potato
The One Pager Business Plan (Irish Potato)
Presented in bite size and easy to understand language, The One Pager Business Plan highlights the basic insights and considerations that helps you to decide if and how to engage in agricultural ventures.
Irish Potato in The World
China is the biggest producer of potatoes worldwide, with about one-third of the world's potatoes produced in China and India. According to FAO estimates, in 2021, over 376 million metric tons of potatoes were produced worldwide, an increase from a production volume of 333.6 million tons in 2010.
Irish Potato in Nigeria
Nigeria is the fourth largest Irish potato producer in sub-Saharan Africa and the seventh largest producer in Africa, with an output of 1,284,370 metric tonnes and a yield per hectare of 37,201 kg/ha (3,720.1 kg/ha) (FAOSTAT, Page 4 2019). In addition, about 60,000 tonnes are exported annually which further reduce the quantity of potato available for consumption.
Irish Potato Value Chain
Goverment AID Multilateral, etc.
Seed Fertilizer services, etc.
You-Farmer Labour services, etc.
Manufacturer Marketing Distribution, Export etc.
Industry Consumer Export Trader, Etc.
Calendar Pattern for Irish Potato Production
Irish Potato Farming in Nigeria
In Nigeria, Plateau State is the major producer of Irish potatoes. Other places with high altitudes are Mambilla Plateau, Taraba State and Obudu, Cross River State. Irish potato can also grow well in Zaria, Kaduna State, Borno and some parts of Nsukka in Enugu State.
SWOT Analysis
Strength: Available base resources of land, labour and technical know-how.
Weakness: Finance.
Opportunity: Large market, high demand with deficit supply.
Threat: Insecurity, the influx of processed Irish potato.
PESTLE Analysis
Political
Economic
Social
Technology
Legal
Environment
Technical Consideration
Potato is planted on a ridge or on a plough at tilth 45cm- 50cm deep. The ridge height is about 15cm from top to bottom. The potato seeds are obtained by dividing the potato into parts and each piece is planted at a spacing of 30-50cm within rows and about 60-90cm between rows at 10-20cm depth depending on the seed’s sizes. Maturity sets in when the leaves change to brown at about 90-110days.
Marketing and Distribution
Operations
A medium holder farm can be managed with a lean operational framework of not more than 5 people, mostly contract with little overhead cost. Most administrative tools for such tasks as bookkeeping, project management and reporting can be sourced freely.
As farms grow, headcount may grow, however, it is advised to keep operations lean and overhead low by using contract workers for most of the farm tasks while growing capacity in managerial areas.
As farms grow, headcount may grow, however, it is advised to keep operations lean and overhead low by using contract workers for most of the farm tasks while growing capacity in managerial areas.Risk
Irish Potato farming at medium scale is presented with a few risks that can be mitigated with low complexity considerations and actions.
Environment Proper community engagement with legal backing, security assessments for safe areas against pastorals and insurgencies. 
High Probability
Technical Obtain training on production, consult the services of an agronomist 
Low Probability
Pest & Disease Proper weed control, and use of cultural, chemical, and biological pest control methods 
Medium Probability
Climate Use weather prediction information from NIMET, avoid flood-prone land. Make use of irrigation facility during dry spell. High Probability
Finance Access to finance and credit to complete the production. Medium Probability
Market Apply good agricultural practices (GAP), produce based on the market quality requirement and understand the market and market channels. Low Probability
Pricing Work with other farmers and associations on pricing. Also, you can get a pre-contract agreement with your buyer Medium Probability
Unfavourable environments such as land issue, insecurity, and pastoralism
Mitigant
High ProbabilityPoor technical knowledge on tomato production.
Mitigant
Low ProbabilityOutbreak of pest and diseases.
Mitigant
Medium ProbabilityIncedence of drought or flood
Mitigant
High ProbabilityLack of funds or poor funding
Mitigant
Medium ProbabilityProduct rejection and ripping off by middlemen
Mitigant
Low ProbabilityPoor pricing of commodity
Mitigant
Medium ProbabilityEconomics of Production (October 2023)
AgroMall Market Survey
It is advised that capital expenditure is avoided at this stage and all capabilities are sourced as services. Labour and services costs may vary per state or region and are amortized per hectare.Profitability of Production (October 2023)
AgroMall Market Survey
Funding
There are funding sources for medium-scale tomato farming if capacity and capability are demonstrated. Typical funding sources from formal financial institutions include:
Out Growers
Investors and partnerships
Development interventions
Grants
Banks: Microfinance and commercial
Funding considerations will require that feasibility and viability are demonstrated, some track record in agriculture will also support a positive funding outlook.
Who is Suited for This?
Anyone interested in agriculture and who can create time for farming will do well in Irish potato farming if they put their mind, heart, and effort into it. Best suited are agriculture students, agriculture graduates, professional farmers, side hustle farmers, and agriculture enthusiasts.
Consideration Score
- Viability --- High
- Feasibility --- High
- Profitability --- High
- Ease of entry --- High
- Aggregate Risk --- Medium
- Probability for Growth --- High
- Resilience and Sustainability --- High
- Aggregate Consideration Score --- High
Conclusion
Potato farming is a viable option for economic engagement in today’s Nigeria. If properly planned and executed, it will be profitable and sustainable, presenting a path for growth.
