On 6th May 2025, NPCK through the Kenya Sustainable Potato Initiative (KSPI) funded by AGRA, participated in the Nandi County Agriculture Sector Steering Committee (CASSCOM) meeting held in Kapsabet. The meeting brought together key stakeholders implementing agricultural projects in the county to foster collaboration, reduce duplication, and maximize impact for farmers. Among the organizations represented were CGA, NPCK, county agricultural officers and directors, River Yala Water Project, NAVCDP, ADS (Western and North Rift regions), Disaster Management, budgetary committee members, and gender and youth representatives. The county emphasized the importance of harmonizing development efforts, stating that future CASSCOM meetings would be by invitation to track organizational activities and progress for greater efficiency and alignment in service delivery.
On 26th May, a Farmers’ Field Day was held at a centrally located demo farm in Nandi, offering easy access to participating farmers alongside other development partners. This event was a significant platform for hands-on learning and farmer engagement. Partners present included AGRA, NPCK, Egerton University, KALRO, Bayer Chemicals, Syngenta, Fanisi, Asili Biological, Twiga Chemicals, representatives from AYEDOHS, Village-Based Advisors (VBAs), county officials, and farmers from Emgwen Sub-County. Farmers were trained by various organizations on good agricultural practices (GAPs), safe use of agrochemicals, appropriate fertilizer use, adoption of certified seed potatoes, the use of the Viazi Soko platform, production of quality seed from rooted apical cuttings, and climate-smart agriculture and management practices. In addition to learning, farmers had the opportunity to interact directly with stakeholders and hear from development partners and implementing organizations.
The following day, on 27th May, AGRA and implementing partners visited several farms across three sub-counties to assess the impact of the KSPI project at the grassroots level. The tour began with a courtesy call to the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) and County Officer (CO) for Agriculture in Nandi to gather feedback on the project. Guided by the county liaison officer, the team proceeded to Terige village in Emgwen Sub-County to visit Nelson Korir, a young farmer engaged in seed potato production. Nelson has planted Shangi C1 variety on 0.41 acres using approximately 5,000 rooted apical cuttings. He plans to expand his seed production to over four acres next season. He has already harvested Unica variety from apical cuttings and stored the tubers in a Diffuse Light Store (DLS) facility that he constructed. During the visit, the team interacted with Nelson through a Q&A session to better understand his journey, the support he received, and how the KSPI project has empowered him as a youth in agribusiness.
The next stop was the farm of Theophilus Kemboi in Sochoi, Ollessos Ward. A member of the Matelkok Self Help Group, Theophilus sourced his Shangi seed (eight bags) through the Viazi Soko digital platform, which delivered the seed to a pick-up point in Lessos. He planted the seed on 0.9 acres and expects to harvest in mid-July. Theophilus plans to sell his ware potatoes via Viazi Soko and eventually transition into seed production.
The final visit was to Leleng’chek Potato Cooperative in Chesumei Sub-County. The cooperative, which has 117 members drawn from across the sub-county, has made impressive strides in apical cutting production. With mother plants supplied by Egerton University and technical support from NPCK, the cooperative has steadily progressed and is now planning to expand its greenhouse and establish more demonstration plots to promote the use of rooted apical cuttings among its members.
The three-day engagement provided a clear picture of the KSPI project’s positive impact in Nandi County. Farmer-led adoption of best practices is growing, and the potato sector is gaining prominence in the region’s agricultural development agenda. The momentum being built especially through youth involvement, cooperative development, and contract farming is helping position potatoes as a leading crop in Nandi County’s agricultural landscape.

Farmers receiving training during the field days