Kenya: Losses due to poor potato farming methods

Kenya loses Sh19 billion annually due to poor production and processing of potatoes, a 2014 study has revealed.

The National Potato Council says of the total amount, Sh12 billion was lost through poor harvesting methods while another Sh6 billion was lost through poor marketing process.

Council Chief Executive Officer Wachira Kaguongo said the sector could surpass the Sh50 billion annual production mark if the right farming practices are used. He lauded the move to regulate the packaging of potatoes in 50kg bags, noting this would save the country Sh4 billion annually and help in pricing, improve the value chain and avail market statistics.

"There is a lot of waste between harvesting and production and our annual production can rise by Sh13 billion if good farming practices are put in place," he said. Speaking in Naivasha, Wachira identified lack of certified seeds as the major challenge facing potato production in the country. He noted that many farmers were recycling their seeds leading to a drop in quality and quantity of potato production in their farms.

"Currently, farmers are harvesting around 10 tonnes of potatoes per hectare, but this can rise to 25 tonnes per year if there is crop rotation, use of certified seeds and right spraying. Farmers will get value for their products and loaders who have in the past suffered from the heavy burden are set to get relief," he said.

Earlier, while on a tour of Naivasha, Nyandarua Governor Waithaka Mwangi announced plans by his government to import certified potato seeds. "We plan to import certified potato seeds from Germany and Holland to increase production and stop importing potatoes from Egypt," he said.