CONSTRAINTS TO PRODUCTION AND USE OF POTATO IN ASIA

To gain a better understanding of the relative importance of the probl ems facing expansion of potatoes in Asian countries, a questionnaire w as sent to heads of National Potato Programs in which factors limiting the production and use of this crop were evaluated. This paper briefl y describes the method employed to tabulate the survey results and the n analyzes the findings themselves. Constraints that were consistently singled out include the high cost of seed potatoes, price instability , and viral diseases such as potato leaf roll. These results should se rve to facilitate further refinement of regional research strategies f or countries facing common problems.