• Battling Pesticide Resistance in Kenyan Potato Production – The Late Blight Challenge

    Posted on September 29, 2025

    Potatoes are a critical staple and cash crop for many smallholder farmers in Kenya. Yet yields remain far below their potential: while Kenyan potato farms could produce 30–40 tonnes per hectare under ideal conditions, recent figures report average yields of only 8–10 t/ha in many regions. A major culprit is Phytophthora infestans, the pathogen that […]

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  • NPCK Leads the Fight Against Potato Pests: New Varieties Malaika & Glen Launched

    Posted on September 29, 2025

    The National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK), in partnership with leading research institutions, has spearheaded the introduction of two new potato varieties—Malaika and Glen—to help farmers overcome the devastating potato cyst nematode (PCN). PCN is a microscopic worm that attacks potato roots, causing stunted growth and poor harvests. It has been one of the biggest […]

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  • Editorial

    Posted on September 29, 2025

    Welcome to the September 2025 edition of the NPCK Newsletter. This issue comes at a pivotal time for the potato sector in Kenya, where innovation, collaboration, and resilience are shaping the future of farming. From the fight against pesticide resistance in late blight to the introduction of new potato varieties such as Malaika and Glen […]

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  • Potato Planting and Management: A Pathway to Food Security and Farmer Prosperity

    Posted on September 9, 2025

    Potato (Solanum tuberosum L) is among Kenya’s most important food and cash crops. Ranked second only to maize, it plays a vital role in food and nutrition security, poverty reduction, and employment creation. With increasing urbanization, population growth, and shifting consumer preferences toward value-added products like chips and crisps, demand for potatoes continues to rise. […]

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  • On the Ground: A Firsthand Look into Kenya’s Potato Markets

    Posted on September 9, 2025

    Potatoes are a vital staple in Kenya, not just on the plate, but across the agricultural economy. Recently, NPCK embarked on a focused tour of two key potato markets that is Kiambu and Mombasa markets to understand the market in terms of sourcing, packaging and sales of ware potatoes. Though vastly different in geography and […]

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  • Potato Cyst Nematodes: A Hidden Threat to Potato Farming

    Posted on September 9, 2025

    Potatoes are the most important food and cash crops globally, and the second most important after maize in Kenya. Potato production is often threatened by pests and diseases, despite its importance as a source of food security and income generation for millions of farmers. Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) are a major pest of potatoes that […]

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  • NPCK STRENGTHENS POTATO VALUE CHAIN THROUGH FARMER TRAININGS, FIELD DAYS AND SOIL SAMPLE FOR ANALYSIS

    Posted on September 5, 2025

    Throughout August 2025, the NPCK, in partnership with county governments, FAO, and other stakeholders, held a series of farmer field days and trainings across Nandi, Vihiga, and Uasin Gishu counties. The activities aimed to promote conservation agriculture, climate-smart practices, and the adoption of certified potato seeds through the Viazi Soko digital platform. at Kaplonyo village, […]

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  • Meru Potato Future- the Meru County Potato Strategy

    Posted on September 5, 2025

    Potato is one of the most important crop enterprises in Meru County, serving both as a staple food and as a cash crop. The industry contributes significantly to the county’s economy, with an average annual production of 168,515 metric tons valued at over KSh 5.2 billion. Despite its importance, potato production in Meru continues to […]

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  • Harmonizing Potato Standards Through a Code of Practice

    Posted on September 5, 2025

    The potato value chain in Kenya plays a central role in food security, nutrition, and livelihoods. However, inconsistencies in production, handling, and marketing standards have often limited the sector’s potential. Harmonizing these standards into a Code of Practice (CoP) is therefore a crucial step toward ensuring food safety, expanding market opportunities, and promoting fair trade […]

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  • Editorial

    Posted on September 5, 2025

    As we close the month of August, it is clear that the potato value chain continues to stand at the heart of Kenya’s food systems and livelihoods. The stories in this issue reflect not just progress, but also the collective resolve of partners : farmers, researchers, policymakers, private sector actors, and development organizations to overcome […]

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