Kenya Aims to Boost Potato Production with Certified Seeds Initiative

NAKURU, Kenya – In a significant move to enhance food security, the Kenyan national government has announced its support for initiatives aimed at increasing farmers’ access to certified potato seeds. This strategy is expected to significantly boost potato production across the country.

According to Kenya News Agency, who spoke at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depot in Nakuru, the government, through public-private partnerships, intends to enhance the availability of high-quality certified potato seed by 25 percent. This will be achieved via rapid multiplication, increased field seed bulking, and the capacity building of commercial seed growers nationwide. Dr. Rono emphasized the government’s commitment to linking farmers with key research institutions such as the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Agriculture Development Corporation (ADC), and Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS) to ensure the procurement of clean and certified planting materials.

A study by the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI) highlighted poor planting material as a critical factor behind the declining potato production in Kenya. Dr. Rono pointed out that the country’s potato yield, which currently averages at 8.6 tonnes per acre, is affected by suboptimal management practices among farmers. He disclosed plans to leverage high-quality potato seed production by institutions including KALRO, ADC, and Egerton University to supply seeds capable of supporting over 12 million tonnes of annual production.

Dr. Rono identified the lack of certified seeds as a major challenge facing the potato industry in Kenya, noting that the practice of recycling seeds among farmers has led to decreased quality and quantity of production. He also mentioned that Kenya is slated to host the International Potato Conference in 2026, with Nakuru County proposed as the venue. He highlighted that current harvests amount to about 10 tonnes of potatoes per hectare but could potentially increase to 25 tonnes per hectare with the adoption of crop rotation, use of certified seeds, and appropriate spraying techniques.

Nakuru, being the second-largest producer of potatoes, accounts for 18.9 percent of national production. The region boasts approximately 20,000 farmers cultivating potatoes on more than 38,000 acres, contributing to a total production of 160,000 tons. On a national scale, potato farming engages over 800,000 farmers across various counties, with the total production ranging from 1 to 1.4 million tons annually, valued between Shs 30 to Sh 40 billion. The sector, predominantly comprising small-scale farmers, supports approximately 3.8 million people directly and indirectly, making it a sub-sector worth Shs 50 billion according to the National Potato Council of Kenya.