THE LAUNCH OF KENYA SUSTAINABLE POTATO INITIATIVE (KSPI)

The Kenya Sustainable Potato Initiative (KSPI) is a three-year project funded by AGRA. It runs from 2024 July to June 2027 with three Consortium Members, NPCK, KALRO-Tigoni, and Egerton University. It is being implemented in Laikipia, Meru, Nyandarua, and Nandi Counties. The project envisions to build a strong and robust seed system, to reduce the seed gap by 50%, and increase adoption of sustainable farming practices. It will also focus on crop diversification for rotation, nutrition-oriented and sensitive agriculture programs that respond to the current climate change effects. The project emphasizes on sustainable farming to improve productivity, enhance private sector incentives, facilitate a supportive policy environment for improved food and nutrition security and livelihoods. It seeks to address legal and regulatory challenges to production, marketing, distribution and processing. The key objectives include; enhanced access to quality seed potato, sustainable increase of the ware potato, inclusive and structured input and output market and creating an enabling environment and coordination of the sector. The launch was followed by county inception meetings that enabled county stakeholders to discuss project objectives and initiatives, agreeing on partnership modalities for enhancement of the potato industry. During the inceptions, County government, potato farmers’ representatives, NPCK, AGRA, KALRO Tigoni, Egerton University, Viazi Kings Ltd, Simplifine, and other public and private partners were brought on board.

Participants during Meru County KSPI Inception

Participants during Laikipia County KSPI Inception

Participants at Nyandarua County KSPI Inception

Participants at Nandi County KSPI Inception