News on Potato Cultivation from Kenya

Agrico and Agrico PSA to expand their activities into Tanzania

November 29, 2023

Agrico and Agrico PSA to expand their seed potato activities in Tanzania

By signing the distribution agreement with Fraxen Consult Ltd, Agrico seed potatoes will be exported to small-scale farmers in Tanzania later this year.

Ashley and Chris Gasperi loved the Grimm Spudnik products on display at the Aug. 24 Potato Field Day and Trade Show in Alliston. They said accessing high-quality scaled-down machinery in Kenya is difficult.

September 21, 2023

Kenyan seed potato producer Freshcrop Ltd inspired by potato cultivation in Ontario, Canada

Seven years ago, Chris and Ashley Gasperi planted four acres of potatoes on their idle land in Kenya.

KC-SWEET PURPLE is rich in beta-carotene, iron and zinc.

August 09, 2023

Kenya leads Eastern Africa with release of climate-adaptive and nutritious purple-fleshed sweet potato variety

The International Potato Center (CIP) has collaborated with Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) to release the KC Sweet Purple variety of sweet potato in an effort to tackle ongoing climate challenges facing farmers in Kenya.

Brief on the Smallholder Potato Development Program

March 28, 2023

Kenya Potato Consortium to lay groundwork for local value chain

It may be recalled how shocked Kenyans were when reports began filtering in the media last year January 2022 that the multinational food giant KFC has run out of ‘fries’ for customers following the non-delivery of potatoes from their overseas suppliers.

Centers of Excellence for Rooted Apical Cuttings: Plugging the gap in quality seed production to boost rural livelihoods and food security in Asia and Africa

November 13, 2022

Rooted Apical Cuttings: Plugging the gap in quality seed potato production to boost food security in Asia and Africa

A capacity-building initiative that started in Kenya to fill gaps in the supply of high-quality early generation seed (EGS) is now spreading across Asia and many African countries

October 31, 2022

University Outreach Project in Kenya Teaching Tissue Culture to Potato Farmers

Richard Mbaria makes a point at his potato in Kapsita village of Nakuru County, Kenya. The farmer has increased his production per acre thanks to training by a CARP+ project implemented in the area by Egerton University.

Kenya: about USD 1 million program set to benefit potato farmers.

September 17, 2022

Kenya: USD 1 million program set to benefit potato farmers

More than 3,000 small-holder potatoes farmers from Nakuru are set to benefit from a KES 127 million (USD 1 million) program aimed at enhancing potato production in the County.

May 19, 2022

50,000 Kenyan potato farmers are partnering with Agrico PSA!

Agrico PSA is proud to communicate another impressive milestone reached: now over 50,000 Kenyan potato farmers are digitally partnering via their Facebook page! PSA’s Facebook page has evolved into a platform where potato knowledge is shared.

April 14, 2022

Smartphone app Nuru helps farmers control potato and sweetpotato diseases

Free smartphone app Nuru helps African potato farmers to detect late blight (Phytophthora) and early blight (Alternaria) since 2021

March 08, 2022

Paper made from banana waste prevents potato cyst nematode damage

With potato production in East Africa under increasing threat from the invasive and highly destructive potato cyst nematode (PCN) pest, an organic technology developed from banana plant waste material may well be the ultimate rescue.

December 08, 2020

Working together on sustainable potato production in Kenya

Viazi (potatoes in Kiswahili) are grown in Kenya since the 19th century. The production and consumption of the potato have grown steadily since.

The National Potato Council of Kenya and Corteva Agriscience have embarked on plans to increase yield among smallholder farmers from 7 tonnes to 20 tonnes per hectare.

September 25, 2020

National Potato Council of Kenya partners with Corteva Agriscience aiming to increase yields

The partnership targets to introduce new technologies and train smallholder farmers on how to improve potato yields through the use of quality seeds, resilient varieties, disease management and post-harvest management.

Kenya: Government approves high yield potato seeds

February 25, 2020

Kenya: 'high input' approach potato cultivation pays off

In Kenya, potatoes are a key staple food, second only to maize. Yet its potato value chain has been underdeveloped for decades also. This has been acknowledged by the Kenyan government.

May 10, 2019

Potato processing factory to be built at Ol Kalou, Kenya

A potato and vegetable processing plant will be built soon in Ol Kalou town. The factory, a collaboration of the Department of Correctional Services and Nyandarua county government, will mitigate post-harvest losses ...

February 18, 2019

Despite potato shortage in Kenya, Nyandarua County potato farmers hardly benefit

An acute shortage of potatoes has hit Nyandarua County, a top producer of potatoes in Kenya and in fact, the entire country is suffering from a shortage.

February 09, 2019

Restaurants in Kenya face acute shortage of potatoes

Restaurants in Kenya are reeling from an acute shortage of Irish potatoes with the Agriculture ministry putting the supply gap at 1.7 million metric tonnes.