Around 2015, Nandi County with its vast agricultural land and potential had only about 70 farmers growing potatoes on about 70 hectares (ha), according to Silas Too, potato value chain coordinator, Nandi County Government. This was mainly due to the fact that traditionally, potato was not a staple food but a snack among communities, and … Continue reading
Hoping against hope of decent harvests, farmers in the semi-arid and arid regions of eastern Kenya have always planted their traditional and favourite food crops – pigeonpea, green gram, sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, cowpea, and maize – at the onset of long or short rains. But it is a ritual that has been driven … Continue reading
When the County Government of Taita Taveta identified potato as one of the high value crops for promotion in 2017, farmers’ access to affordable certified seed became a critical priority, and for good reasons. They did not have it and had to have it. For it is widely acknowledged that improved seed is the essential … Continue reading
The potato component uses a learning farm approach concept, which provides rural farmers with hands-on experience in potato production technologies by practising together with the trainers through a learning-by-doing approach. Continue reading
Access to clean seed, knowledge of good agronomic practices and hard work leads youth to a tenfold potato harvest in Kibirichia, Meru County, Kenya. Atop a hillside, in the remote village of Kathetene, Meru County in Kenya, 23-year-old Stanley Muriuki wakes up at 5am to begin his day. He scouts through a two-acre potato plot … Continue reading
As the three year Feed the Future Kenya Accelerated Value Chain Development (AVCD) project winds up in September 2018, the potato value chain reports several achievements. First is the successful introduction and dissemination of new potato technologies—drought, pest and disease tolerant varieties; use of quality seed by farmers; adoption of apical rooted cuttings by seed … Continue reading
Isaiah Kemei is one of progressive seed potato multipliers in Kenya’s Uasin Gishu County. Before becoming a seed potato multiplier in 2016, Isaiah had been planting potatoes for sale at the local markets for more than seven years. “At that time I used to experience high disease incidence especially bacterial wilt in my potato fields … Continue reading
Decentralized seed potato multipliers and county officers in Kenya’s North Rift —part of the Feed the Future Kenya Accelerated Value Chain Development (AVCD) project—undertook an educational tour aimed at showcasing procedures and practises for producing certified seed. Continue reading
Through the scenic valleys of Ngachara village, one cannot help but appreciate the beauty of the surrounding farms; greenery as far as the eye can see. Situated in Meru County, one of the leading potato producing counties in Kenya, Ngachara village contributes greatly to the production of popular potato varieties. Consumers repeatedly request for Meru … Continue reading
AVCD Kenya 