Top-grade potato seed to be released to farmers

More than 39 seed potato varieties are set to be released to farmers once they are approved by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis), according to Agriculture secretary Felix Koskei.

Mr Koskei said research institutions will establish a potato seed multiplication centre.

“We will make available high-yielding seeds to small and large-scale farmers to commercialise agriculture,” Mr Koskei said.

The new seed varieties will be scrutinized by Kephis and then released to farmers.

A large number of the potato varieties being developed are from Kenya and The Netherlands.

The seeds are checked for quality and disease-resistance. “The varieties will tried extensively and only those that will pass the test will be distributed to farmers,” he said.

HIGH YIELDING POTATOES

He was speaking when he hosted the Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade Lilianne Ploumen. Ms Ploumen said her government would provide Kenya with high-yielding potatoes and contribute to diversify food crops.

She called on the government to remove barriers that may hinder investment, such as import tariffs and Value Added Tax. She also said the two nations would study areas of mutual cooperation.

“We will share our expertise while, at the same time, learning from Kenya’s experiences and knowledge in agriculture,” she said.

The Dutch minister also gave four new potato varieties to Mr Koskei that have been certified in Kenya.

At the same time, agriculture experts have warned that the country is facing serious pressure on natural resources like land and water that emanate from climate change, which is having far-reaching consequences for food supply and the future of the seed industry.

“The agriculture sector needs to adopt modern technologies in order to increase productivity,” Mr Koskei said.