Limuru: The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) has introduced a game-changing potato variety, Clone IG-70, that promises to revolutionize potato farming in Kenya. The new variety, which is drought- and blight-tolerant, was unveiled during the Mkulima Open Week Exhibitions at the KALRO Potato Research Centre in Tigoni, Limuru Sub-county.
According to Kenya News Agency, KALRO has been at the forefront of developing high-yielding, disease-resistant potato varieties while adopting innovative farming methods, including improved post-harvest techniques, to enhance productivity. Robert Musyoki, the Director of KALRO Seeds, emphasized the importance of certified seeds in enhancing potato productivity and stated that the KALRO Research Open Week aims to educate farmers on advanced technologies and best practices to meet the country’s growing potato demand.
Musyoki revealed that Clone IG-70 was in its final verification stages and would soon be available to farmers. He emphasized that educating farmers on certified seeds would help bridge the gap in seed shortages and improve yields. He noted the high demand for certified seeds in the country and invited potential stakeholders to join in increasing seed production to support the growing number of farmers.
According to Centre Director of the KALRO Horticulture Research Centre, Tigoni, Moses Nyongesa, farmers have long sought a potato variety that is both resistant to blight and capable of delivering high yields. Nyongesa stated that the new variety meets this need, offering a high yield of 320 bags per acre, drought and blight tolerance, and excellent processing qualities, making it an ideal choice for potato farming.
To address the certified seed shortage, KALRO has introduced an innovative approach known as potato rooted apical cuttings technology, which enhances the production of early-generation seeds. Nyongesa explained that this technology allows farmers to purchase potato seedlings in addition to seeds, enabling faster seed multiplication. The technology can also be applied to other crops like tomatoes, further boosting agricultural productivity.
Research scientist, Faida Kelele John, noted that 80 percent of local farmers relied on uncertified seeds, which makes pest and disease control more challenging. Kelele explained that certified seeds undergo rigorous evaluation, curing, and analysis to meet required standards, making them more reliable than exchanging seeds among farmers. The Clone IG-70 variety stands out for its high resistance to blight and drought, large tuber size, and suitability for making fresh potato chips and roasting.
Farmers who attended the exhibition praised the new developments, but raised concerns over seed accessibility and cost. Peter Magina, a potato farmer from Limuru, acknowledged that advanced seed technology has boosted yields and profitability, but called on the government to increase funding for KALRO to enhance seed production. He stated that each farmer is receiving a maximum of two 50kg bags of potato seeds, which is insufficient for those with large plots of land, and urged the government to allocate more funds to KALRO to ensure increased seed production.
Rose Wathira, a farmer from Narok, highlighted the high cost of the seeds, urging the government to subsidize prices to make them more affordable. She noted that the seeds are expensive, with each bag costing Sh4,250, and appealed to the government to reduce the price to make them more accessible to farmers.
The KALRO Mkulima Open Week, which has been running for nearly a month at various KALRO research stations across the country, has drawn hundreds of farmers eager to explore the latest agricultural innovations and improve their farming practices.