Field demos and field days are critical for practical learning, technology transfer, and farmer participation. They provide hands-on experience, highlight best practices, and enable farmers to see the efficacy of new techniques, innovations, agrochemicals, and machinery in real-farm settings. These events also promote knowledge exchange, encourage the use of improved farming methods, and boost collaboration and networking among farmers, professionals, and agricultural stakeholders.

Under the KSPI project, NPCK has collaborated with other consortium members, including Egerton University and KALRO-Tigoni, county governments, seed potato producers, agro-input suppliers, and other providers of agro-services in the potato value chain to successfully organize 11 field days in four project counties and Nakuru, a non-project county.

Over four thousand farmers attended the events and learnt from experts on the best practices in potato production, the use of innovative technologies, and solutions for improved potato productivity and sustainability.  The farmers had an opportunity to learn the importance of practicing good agricultural practices (GAPs) in potato production, use of improved seed varieties, certified and high-quality seeds, modern irrigation techniques, climate-smart technologies, effective use of agrochemicals and potato-specific fertilizers, ensuring that potato production remains sustainable while maximizing yields.

During these field days, farmers were also trained on how to use the Viazi Soko digital platform to order high-quality agro-inputs and other services such as seed potatoes, fertilizers, agrochemicals, mechanization, and extension services to improve and enhance their potato production. In addition, farmers through these platforms, had an opportunity to learn how to access credit to finance their farming activities via financial institutions. In addition, the stakeholders and partners in the potato sub-sector also had an opportunity to showcase their various products and services as well as improve profits in their businesses. Financial institutions.

Overall, the KSPI farmer field days have become a transformative platform, fostering collaboration between farmers, researchers, and agricultural stakeholders. This initiative has settled the stage for increased productivity, improved livelihoods, and a more resilient potato farming sector in Kenya.