Potato farmers could be saved from post-harvest losses by planting a less perishable variety developed by Kenyan researchers.
The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation developed the new potato variety that has a longer shelf life.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya said this was one way of cushioning farmers from post-harvest losses.
He said farmers who plant this variety will not have to sell the potatoes at throwaway prices fearing the produce would turn into seeds.
“The varieties are undergoing final field trials and will be available for distribution to farmers by the start of the next planting season which is April next year,” said the CS. He spoke during a farmers’ field day on Saturday at Kalro Njoro.
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service managing director Theophilus Mutui and Kalro director general Elud Kireger were present.
Munya said that farmers in Njoro, Kuresoi, Molo and other regions had been growing the Shangi variety which is highly perishable and thereby incurring losses.
He added that besides the seed research and production, the Ministry of Agriculture and counties were constructing potato cold plants at Muchorwe in Molo and Keringet in Kuresoi South.
The cooling plant at Muchorwe has a holding capacity of 4,000 tonnes while the one at Keringet can store 1,000 tonnes.
“The government and counties have put in place measures to cushion farmers even as we seek ways to organise the potato farming sector to address the challenge of prices,” Munya said.
He was accompanied by Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui and Industrialisation Chief Administration Secretary Lawrence Karanja among other leaders.
The government through the National Potato Council of Kenya and other stakeholders in agriculture have been working towards developing a structured potato value chain since 2015. The United States Agency for International Development and Alliance for a Green Africa Revolution Africa are partners in the project.
During his two-day tour of Nakuru last weekend, Munya said the event was meant to educate farmers on the research and services available from the government for them to exploit to increase production and income.
The CS noted that there was also a challenge in the dairy sector due to the high cost of feeds which was caused by the scarcity of protein raw materials.
“Today, you have been shown the several varieties of fodder to grow on your farms to produce your own feeds and reduce the cost of milk production,” he said.
He said the farmers were shown how to process their healthy feeds, drastically cutting the cost of milk and meat production.
Munya said sweet potato vines were the easiest way of getting protein for their livestock while providing nutrition for their diets.
