The use of nationally certified seed currently covers less than five percent of the acreage — a key impediment to growth in the sector. The International Potato Center (CIP) estimates that bacterial wilt spreading through poor seed yield can result in 30 percent losses. In addition, climate change — erratic rains and degenerated soil in the key potato-growing agroecological zones — leads to significant fluctuations in access to ware potatoes.

However, emerging technology in seed multiplication, focus on sound soil and water management, optimal fertilizer use, varietal selection for pest and disease tolerance, and improved post-harvest handling measures are important factors in increasing and stabilizing potato productivity. To meet the demand for high-quality seed potatoes, large-scale production by farmers is needed to meet the quality demanded by government and seed buyers. Mechanization is an important necessity to make this possible. An example of successful use of mechanization in Kenya is FreshCrop Ltd. The seed potato company in Kenya managed by CEO Christopher Gasperi, adds value along the potato chain by including the adoption of apical rooted cuttings to rapidly multiply high-grade potato seeds.

Respecting the social context of the community, FreshCrop used a stepwise approach of introducing mechanization to expand production without eliminating their labor force — instead they re-purposed roles. Previously planting 1.2 ha per day with 60 laborers, FreshCrop is now able to plant 10 ha per day with 20 laborers. Grimme’s ridge resulted in roughly a 10 percent increase in production, as a proper ridge allows for moisture retention and increased tuber initiation and growth.

Previously manually harvesting a maximum of two hectares per day with 75 laborers expanded to eight hectares per day with 15 laborers. Mechanization increased potatoes lifted out of the ground by five to 10 percent, lowered costs, and decreased post-harvest losses with 20 percent fewer damaged potatoes compared to manual harvest. Mechanized sorting improved time efficiencies resulting in cost savings of 40 percent.

For more information: https://spudsmart.com/mechanization-impacts-potato-production-in-kenya-congress-success-story/

Farmers watch a live demonstration of potato harvesting machinery on a field day. Photo courtesy of Fresh Crop Ltd