This report is an update of information on gender-differentiated producer and consumer preferred characteristics of sweet potato conducted at the Lake Zone of Tanzania.

In this research brief, two potential roles of potato-legume intercropping are reported: (i) improved control of soil erosion to make potato production more sustainable in the highlands; and (ii) optimizing soil temperatures, soil water contents and soil nutrient balance thus enabling potato production in the drier midland agro-food systems. The results are derived from six separate studies conducted between the 2014 wet season and 2018 dry season in Kenya.

Improved individual ambient storage units allow proper ware potato storage, are easy to maintain and help smallholder farmers fetch higher prices; more education and suitable financial products are needed that entice farmers to invest in these units to enable greater profitability.

The long awaited Crops (Irish Potato) Regulations, 2019 were finally officially launched by the cabinet secretary, ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation, Hon. Mwangi Kiunjuri, during the Annual National Potato Conference in KARLO, Loresho organized by National Potato Council of Kenya. The Regulations will address the prevailing challenges in the Potato Sector which include: Use of extended bags – henceforth, the maximum weight per unit package shall be 50kgs, Quality assurance and marketing and Licensing of actors in the Potato value chain. Check below or download a copy of the regulation here.

In May 2018 was published Potato Growers’ Biosecurity Manual by the Industry Representative Body for vegetable and potato growers AUSVEG.
The manual is specific to the Australian situation, but all potato growers can find in it interesting information or tips.