Kenya’s potato sector grapples with quality seed supply challenges

KENYA – The potato industry in Kenya, a critical source of food and income for millions, continues to face a persistent challenge: an inadequate supply of high-quality potato seed varieties.

Despite progress in recent years, the lack of access to certified seed remains a pressing issue for farmers.

According to the National Potato Strategy 2021-2025 released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives, although several potato seed varieties have been developed, certified, and released into the market, farmers still struggle to access them.

The report notes, “The absence of foundation potato seed for multiplication and the perishable nature of seed potatoes pose significant challenges to storage and distribution.”

Conventional distribution channels are often unsuitable for such fragile produce, requiring investments in cold storage infrastructure.

Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), through its Tigoni National Research Centre, collaborates with institutions like Egerton University and the International Potato Centre (CIP) to research and develop potato varieties.

However, the early 1990s saw substantial structural changes, including the allocation of research land to private entities, which reduced the land available for seed multiplication.

Additionally, financial constraints have hindered both KALRO and the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) in adequately fulfilling their mandates.

“The financial limitations of key institutions have greatly impacted the production and distribution of certified seeds,” the report states. These constraints have left farmers reliant on low-quality seed, perpetuating cycles of poor yields.

While some counties have increased budgetary allocations to the potato sector, the report highlights that potato farmers lack sufficient financial services and products from mainstream institutions.

The Ministry’s report emphasizes the importance of resource mobilization, suggesting mechanisms to access funds under the Agriculture and Food Authority Act to address funding gaps.

Notably, Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) have stepped in, offering group lending services that enable farmers to access certified seed and inputs when backed by viable business models.

“SACCOs have played a pivotal role in ensuring farmers can improve their practices and productivity,” the report notes.

Despite these hurdles, there have been notable advancements in the potato sector. In 2024, Solynta introduced hybrid potato varieties resilient to late blight disease.

These hybrids yielded more than double the average production without requiring fungicides. This innovation has proven transformative for smallholder farmers, allowing them to reduce chemical use while increasing their output.

Additionally, the Kenya Sustainable Potato Initiative (KSPI), supported by organizations such as Egerton University and the National Potato Council of Kenya, has promoted climate-smart agricultural practices.

By adopting sustainable methods and certified seeds, farmers have managed to lower production costs and enhance their incomes.

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