Potatoes are not just a staple food in Kenya, they are a powerful economic crop with the potential to uplift livelihoods and drive National economic growth. Among the most promising opportunities within the potato value chain is seed potato production, a high-impact agribusiness investment with rising demand and strong returns.
Certified seed potatoes are the bedrock of a productive and disease-resilient potato industry. Yet, in Kenya, over 80% of farmers still depend on informal seed systems, mainly recycled tubers from previous harvests. This results in poor yields, high disease incidence, and low-quality produce.
One of the strongest arguments for investing in seed potato production is the growing market demand. As farmers become increasingly aware of the benefits of certified seed, demand continues to outpace supply. Kenya’s annual demand for certified seed potatoes exceeds 50,000 metric tons, yet current production remains well below this threshold. For instance, in the ongoing long rains season, NPCK, through the Viazi Soko platform, has sold and distributed over 9,000 bags of seed potatoes sourced from various certified producers.
Beyond demand, seed potato production offers superior profit margins compared to ware potato farming. A single hectare can yield up to 25–30 tons of seed potatoes, fetching premium prices due to their quality and certification. Programs like the Kenya Sustainable Potato Initiative (KSPI), in collaboration with partners such as KALRO, CIP, and AGRA, offer seed producers access to technical training, quality assurance, and market linkages.
Notably, the sector still has low competition, with only a handful of certified producers in the country making it a prime opportunity for new entrants.
Getting Started in Seed Potato Production
To venture into seed potato production, follow these key steps:
- Get Certified: Apply for licensing and field inspection through KEPHIS.
- Source Clean Material: Use disease-free planting material such as rooted apical cuttings from certified providers and obtain production authorization.
- Adopt Modern Agronomy: Practice good crop rotation, integrated pest management, and disease-free production methods.
- Invest in Storage: Build or access cold storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses and extend shelf life.
- Market Smart: Leverage cooperatives, local networks, and digital platforms such as Viazi Soko to reach buyers efficiently.
Large scale seed potato field of Markies seeds at Agrico PSA
