Irish Potato is the second most important food crop in Kenya after maize. About 2-3 million tonnes of potatoes worth Ksh.50 billion is produced each year. Potato farming employs 2.5 million Kenyans characterized by a few large scale farmers and many small scale farmers scattered in sixteen counties. The industry indirectly employs about 3.3 million people as producers, market agents, transporters, processors, vendors, retailers and exporters.

The main challenge of potato production in the country lies in availability of affordable, quantity, quality, certified seeds. “Only 5% of farmers in the country use the formal seed outlets to get their seeds. The implications of this is reduced farm yield. Where as potential yield of 40 tonnes per hectare can be achieved, farmers in Kenya only produce an average of 10 tonnes per hectare. Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) is addressing this through innovative seed production and supply solutions of high yielding varieties”. Said Dr. Moses Nyongesa, Director, Potato Research Centre-KALRO Tigoni who affirmed that the production of high quality seed remains a key challenge in the development of the potato industry.

More info : The Hortifresh Journal https://hortfreshjournal.com/big-4-agenda-is-potato-an-answer-to-food-insecurity-in-kenya/