• FROM SEED TO SUCCESS: STRENGTHENING POTATO FARMING THROUGH CERTIFICATION

    Posted on August 1, 2025

    A robust quality assurance system for seed certification is essential to guarantee a consistent supply of high-quality seed. In Kenya, potato farming serves as a critical source of food, income, and employment for thousands of smallholder farmers. However, low yields and frequent crop failures are often attributed to the use of uncertified or poor-quality seed. […]

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  • MANAGING PESTICIDE RESISTANCE IN POTATO PRODUCTION

    Posted on August 1, 2025

    Potato production faces various pest and disease challenges, leading farmers to rely heavily on pesticides. However, continuous and unplanned pesticide use often results in pesticide resistance, where pests and pathogens adapt, and making control measures ineffective. Managing pesticide resistance is essential for sustainable potato production and farmer profitability. Resistance develops when the same pesticide or […]

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  • IN THE BATTLE AGAINST BLIGHT AND BACTERIAL WILT, RESILIENCE IS THE NEW YIELD.

    Posted on August 1, 2025

    As climate change intensifies and diseases like late blight and bacterial wilt continue to threaten potato farming in Kenya, farmers need more than just high yields—they need resilient crops. The University of Eldoret’s ELDO IP1 and ELDO FANAKA deliver both. With strong yields and moderate resistance to these major diseases, they help reduce reliance on […]

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  • THE POWER OF THE TUBER

    Posted on August 1, 2025

    Potatoes are often considered a super crop in Kenya due to their immense economic, nutritional, and agricultural value. At the heart of this status lies the potato tuber — a silent powerhouse whose full potential is often hidden beneath the soil. One of its most remarkable qualities is its high yield per acre; under ideal […]

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  • CONTROLLING BACTERIA WILT IN KENYA

    Posted on August 1, 2025

    Kenyan potato belts are typically cool, high-elevation regions (e.g. Nakuru, Meru, Nyeri, Marakwet) with ample rain. Night time temperatures are low enough to favor potato tuber bulking – for example, Marakwet’s “very cold” climate is ideal for potatoes. However, R. solanacearum thrives in warm, moist soils and poorly drained fields. Infections rapidly spread during rainy […]

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  • MERU COUNTY POTATO STRATEGY;

    Posted on August 1, 2025

    Enhancing implementation through Harmonized stakeholders’ efforts  Potato production in Meru County has been on a downward trend due to several existing and upcoming challenges, including difficulty in accessing clean and certified seed potatoes, poor production methods that contribute to soil nutrient depletion, and unreliable rainfall or insufficient water for irrigation among other key challenges. This […]

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  • EMBRACING SMARTPHONES IN DAILY FARM ROUTINES TO BOOST POTATO PRODUCTION

    Posted on August 1, 2025

    We are living in the 21st Century—an age defined by rapid technological advancement and innovation across all sectors, including agriculture. We’ve progressed from the era of bulky desktop computers to compact, powerful devices that now fit in our pockets: smartphones. These devices have evolved into smart tools equipped with technologies that can transform farming, especially […]

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  • NPCK’S VBA ENGAGEMENT MODEL: BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN FARMERS AND SERVICES

    Posted on August 1, 2025

    In a bid to improve productivity and market access for potato farmers in Kenya, National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK) has adopted an innovative, farmer-centered approach, the Village-Based Advisors (VBAs) model. This model leverages the power of grassroots networks to deliver critical agricultural support while fostering sustainable livelihoods in potato-growing communities. VBAs are trained individuals […]

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  • BUILDING GUARDIANS OF AGRICULTURAL QUALITY THROUGH SEED INSPECTOR TRAINING 26TH/JULY 2025

    Posted on July 31, 2025

    In a country where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy, the role of seed inspectors is crucial. Seed inspectors are the frontline defenders of seed quality, ensuring that only high-quality, clean, and genetically pure seeds reach farmers. Their role is vital in upholding food security, protecting farmer investments, and maintaining national and international seed […]

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  • CELEBRATING MILESTONES ON THE ROAD TO WPC 2026

    Posted on July 31, 2025

    This July marks a significant turning point for Kenya’s potato sector and its global positioning as we edge closer to hosting the 13th World Potato Congress (WPC 2026). We were honored to welcome Dr. Peter VanderZaag, President of the World Potato Congress, who visited Kenya to officially launch the logistics and planning for this historic […]

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