Effects of Fertilizer use on Potato Production in Western Rwanda

This study analysed the effects of fertilizer use on potato production in Kabatwa Sector,
Nyabihu District, in Western Rwanda. Data were collected among 100 potato growers
randomly selected in Kabatwa sector for the season 2014B. A well structured questionnaire
was distributed in August 2014, and required information about the respondent’s
identification, fertilizer use, potato production and related constraints. The paired-samples
T-test was used for data analysis. The results show that fertilizers have positive effects on
potato output. The results from the paired-samples t-test show that the difference between
the average crop production after and the average crop production before the adoption of
fertilizers in the study area (1,155 kgs) is statistically different from zero following that the
corresponding p-value (labelled Sig. 2-tailed) is smaller than 0.05. Accordingly, there has
been a statistically significant difference between the potato output level comparing before
and after fertilizer use in the study area. It was recommended that the Government should
enhance fertilizer accessibility through credit facility to farmers, facilitate access to
proximity extension services and encourage farmers to group into cooperatives.