Nakuru: Over 100,000 potato farmers and stakeholders from Nakuru and Nyandarua counties are benefiting from the new potato Roots Apical Cutting (RAC) technology, courtesy of a joint initiative by government agencies and a consortium of research institutions that have been developing and distributing high-quality and affordable potato apical tissue seed. The programme, implemented by the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA) in partnership with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) and Egerton University, has incorporated farmers from Marishioni ward within Molo constituency and the Murungaru area in Nyandarua county, the leading potato-producing areas.
According to Kenya News Agency, the targeted beneficiaries within Nakuru and Nyandarua counties are members of cooperative societies and include farmers, agro-input dealers, ward agricultural officers, seed multipliers, and village-based agents. These groups have been working with KALRO and Egerton University under the technology Transfer through Innovation Systems project, aiming to enhance smallholder farmers’ capacity for profitable and sustainable potato production.
The Programme Officer for Agricultural Technology and Innovation at ASARECA, Dr. Joshua Sikhu-Okonya, emphasized the benefits of apical cuttings as a source of disease-free seed with no degeneration of genes, ensuring quality tubers. He stated that genetically, these cuttings produce high-quality crops with a high survival rate. The initiative supports farmers and stakeholders in establishing demonstration plots using RAC technology to multiply market-demand-driven potato varieties for cooperatives and innovation platforms in Nakuru and Nyandarua counties.
Dr. Okonya further explained that the programme aims to scale up the production of quality seed and industrial-scale technology adoption. A farmer field day is scheduled for August 12 at Marishioni Trading Centre in Nakuru County, where the dissemination of Potato Rooted Apical Cuttings Technology will occur. In May, 26,000 farmers received preferred potato seed varieties, such as ‘Shangi’, ‘Unica’, and ‘Wanjiku’, along with 200 bags of fertilizer and various pesticides.
Other partners in the initiative include the Strengthening Agricultural Knowledge and the Innovation Ecosystem for Inclusive Rural Transformation and Livelihoods in Eastern Africa (AIRTEA) project, the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK), Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme ex-Pillar 4 (CAADP XP4 Project), the European Union, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Farm Input Promotions Africa (FiPS-Africa). The project also promotes climate-smart agriculture to enhance potato production in Kenya, helping farmers reduce costs and increase incomes.
The RAC technology, also known as tissue culture, involves taking cuttings from healthy potato plantlets grown in controlled environments. These cut plant tissues are cultivated in a lab, and the resulting plantlets or mini-tubers are transplanted into fields. This method allows for disease-free and high-yielding potato planting material. Each cutting produces seven to 15 tubers, which are further multiplied and distributed as seeds to farmers.
The initiative aligns with climate-smart innovations to protect farmers from climate change challenges. Dr. Okonya emphasized promoting sustainable potato production through climate-smart farming practices, good agricultural practices (GAP), certified seeds, and climate-smart agriculture technologies.
Dr. Elias Kamau, a Biometrician Scientist at KALRO, highlighted access to quality potato seed as a challenge for Kenyan farmers. He assured that the consortium provides high-quality seed certified by relevant authorities to improve yields. Demonstration plots showcase RAC technology’s effectiveness, encouraging climate-smart agricultural practices and developing drought- and heat-tolerant potato varieties.
ASARECA Programme Officer for Policy Julian Barungi noted that by collaborating with researchers and development agencies, farmers in Nakuru and Nyandarua are refining technologies and contributing to national and global development goals through agricultural innovation. The consortium partners provide training on RAC benefits for seed production and good agronomic practices, alongside practical demonstrations and establishing potato plots using RAC in farmers’ fields.
The potato sub-sector supports 3.8 million people, with the National Potato Council of Kenya valuing it at over Sh50 billion. The Alliance for a Green Revolution (AGRA) reports that only 20 percent of African farmers use seeds of improved varieties. Statistics from the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) show that over 800,000 Kenyans are directly engaged in potato production, with 2.5 million in the potato value chain.
The National Potato Council of Kenya states that 160,000 hectares are under potato farming, with 83 percent cultivated by smallholder farmers. There are 13 major potato-producing counties in Kenya, with Nyandarua leading in production, followed by Nakuru and Elgeyo Marakwet. Upcoming potential potato-producing counties include Machakos, Makueni, Embu, Kajiado, Tharaka Nithi, Samburu, Kwale, and Nairobi. KEPHIS notes that Nyandarua leads production at 29.8 percent, followed by Nakuru and Elgeyo Marakwet.
