kenya
Egerton University has partnered with the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK) and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) to ensure sustainable potato production in the country.
In July 2024, the three institutions will collaborate to launch a three-year project called the Kenya Sustainable Potato Initiative (KSPI) to promote sustainable potato production through the adoption of climate-smart potato growing practices. The purpose was to The goal is to increase yield and profitability.
The main objective of the USD 1.5 million project is to directly improve the productivity and profitability of 150,000 potato farmers, while creating employment opportunities for more than 4,000 young people. The project will also indirectly benefit an additional 300,000 farmers through additional value chains.
Of the 150,000 farmers targeted, 40% are expected to be women and a further 10% are young people.
market access, fair prices
KSPI targets four of the country’s largest potato producing counties – Nyandarua, Meru, Laikipia and Nadi – and reaches out to 400 potato farmer groups spread across these counties by providing a structured marketing system. We intend to strengthen it. It helps groups to digitize, provide farm inputs, give them access to markets and enable them to get fair prices for their produce.
Agronomist Professor Anthony Kibe, who is leading Egerton University’s role in the KSPI project, said: “Potatoes are the second most consumed food in the country after maize and have become an important part of the country’s diet and economy. “There is,” he said.
It is both a staple food and a cash crop, grown by more than 800,000 farmers across the country, employing more than 2 million people in the process. It contributes more than KES 50 billion (approximately US$ 385 million) to the country’s economy.
“Kenya currently produces only nine tonnes of potatoes per year, while countries like Egypt produce up to 40 tonnes of potatoes. This is far from meeting domestic potato demand,” Kibe said. he told University World News.
Solving policy issues
Founded on an agricultural basis, Egerton University’s main goal is to solve all microeconomic and macroeconomic policy problems related to agriculture, transportation, processing, marketing and trade in agricultural and agricultural products. Commercialization, income growth and food security. Ensure sustainable agricultural systems, natural resources and the environment.
Kibe said Kenya has the potential to produce up to 30 tonnes of potatoes per year, but is limited by factors such as:
• Poor seed quality: Only 5% of Kenyan farmers have access to certified potato seeds. Most farmers rely on historic seeds that have been recycled many times and have lost their potential.
• Lack of access to farm inputs such as fertilizers.
• Poor control of pests and diseases.
• Not enough rainfall for potato cultivation – Countries like Egypt invest heavily in irrigation.
• Lack of research in potato cultivation. and
• Lower priority than maize production.
Agricultural practices revitalized
Poor agricultural practices have stagnated potato production over the past decade, making Kenya unable to compete with regional potato growers such as South Africa and Egypt, Kibe said.
Through KSPI, Egerton University plans to ensure the integration of 190 students and young people into value chain processes and experiential learning. The project will also help train village-based advisors on climate-smart potato production techniques, innovations and management practices, and how to reduce post-harvest losses by 50%. Kibe explained that farmers would be trained to produce potatoes. Climate-friendly technologies such as mechanization methods and reusable energy.
Farm Kenya reports that access to certified seeds is the main issue facing potato farmers in the country, according to Professor John Nderitu, chairman of the NPCK board and representing private researchers and potato industry experts. . The company plans to increase its seed production by up to three times from the current 900 tons over the next three years.
NPCK plans to help build a strong and efficient potato seed production system that gives farmers access to high-quality seeds of the right variety. It also promotes inclusion by ensuring small-scale potato farmers have equal access to markets, trade opportunities and financial services.
student opportunities
“Potato is finally getting the recognition it deserves and is emerging as a strategic crop that could help achieve some of the goals set out in Vision 2030. It is also in line with the government’s bottom-up economic strategy, which aims to increase productivity of small-scale farmers and create jobs for thousands of young people. “KSPI also offers students attachment and internship opportunities that give them first-hand experience in potato production and management.
This project will conclude in June 2027.
