Kenyan farmers achieve record yields with Solynta’s late blight-resistant hybrid potatoes

KENYA – In a landmark field trial in Limuru, Kenya, smallholder farmers saw record-breaking yields using Solynta’s latest hybrid potato varieties, demonstrating their resilience against late blight and delivering substantial harvests without the need for fungicides.

The spring 2024 trials involved planting three of Solynta’s hybrid potato varieties, known for their strong resistance to late blight, alongside Kenya’s popular variety, Shangi.

Using disease-free seed tubers from the previous season, the test aimed to compare the performance of sprayed versus non-sprayed plots.

After just three weeks, late blight appeared in the fields, quickly killing the non-sprayed Shangi. In contrast, Solynta’s hybrids showed remarkable resilience.

After 100 days, the results were clear: Solynta’s hybrid varieties, SOLHY016 and SOLHY017, produced more than double the average Kenyan potato yield of 10 metric tons per hectare under no-spray conditions.

SOLHY016 even reached a staggering 38.9 metric tons per hectare, while SOLHY017 closely followed at 38.6 metric tons per hectare. This stands in stark contrast to the national average yield of 8.4 metric tons per hectare typically achieved by Kenyan farmers.

“The results this season speak for themselves—smallholder farmers can now achieve more with less. Solynta’s hybrid potatoes offer an opportunity for farmers to increase yields, reduce input costs, and improve food security,” said Gerald Mutua, Director at CropCare Technologies in Kenya.

These trial results have significant implications for Kenyan farmers, particularly in regions where access to fungicides is limited or too expensive.

By planting these new hybrids, farmers can significantly boost productivity without relying on chemical treatments. Solynta’s varieties are designed to withstand the severe challenges posed by late blight, a disease that has plagued potato farmers in the country for years.

“These outstanding results confirm that making quality starting material available to Kenyan potato growers will empower them to produce sufficient potatoes, with limited or no need for fungicides,” said Charles Miller, Director of Strategic Alliances and Development at Solynta.

“Not only will these new hybrids improve their own livelihoods, but they will also provide strong harvests for feeding their communities.”

Kenya produces approximately 2 to 3 million tonnes of potatoes annually, making it the second most important food crop after maize. However, yields remain relatively low, averaging about 8.4 to 10 metric tons per hectare, compared to the potential of 20 to 25 metric tons.

Major potato-growing regions like Nyandarua, Nakuru, Meru, and Bomet counties face challenges such as low-quality seed material and diseases like late blight, which limit productivity.

With Solynta’s hybrid varieties, Kenyan farmers now have a chance to overcome these challenges. These hybrids are now being registered with the Kenyan Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) for commercial use, offering hope for a brighter future in agriculture.

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