Enhancing implementation through Harmonized stakeholders’ efforts
Potato production in Meru County has been on a downward trend due to several existing and upcoming challenges, including difficulty in accessing clean and certified seed potatoes, poor production methods that contribute to soil nutrient depletion, and unreliable rainfall or insufficient water for irrigation among other key challenges. This calls for the industry to have a strategic direction and set priorities. The industry activities should also be well aligned with the county government’s priorities. Consequently, there is a need for the industry to have structured coordination and communication (according to the Meru County Potato Strategy 2024-2029).
To promote the adoption of the National Potato Strategy (NPS) and drive growth and expansion in the potato industry both at the county and national levels, all potato-producing counties need to develop their own County Potato Strategy (CPS). This will enhance coordination, with enforcement managed at the county level. County Potato Strategy is a policy document that aligns with the National Potato Strategy, Kenya Vision 2030 and County Integrated Development plans (CIDP), factoring in the contributions of subsector players and development partners in enhancing potato industry performance and growth at the County Level. NPCK supported Meru to develop county potato strategy covering 2024-2029.
On the other hand, Meru county through National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) developed a potato strategy covering a period of 2024-2028 which looks into addressing key challenges from Market linkage, pest disease management, Quality seed access, Post- Harvest handling among other key issues, with the main objectives on increasing potato production and productivity and increasing access to structured profitable output market.
To harmonize the interventions in these two documents aimed at improving the potato industry in the county, NPCK through the KSPI project and Solidaridad paid a courtesy visit to the Meru County Department of Agriculture on 27th June 2025. The visit was to assess the implementation status of the two policy documents and to agree on how to align efforts for more effective implementation to boost potato industry performance within the county and beyond.
The team agreed to consolidate the two documents by July 2025, then submit to the cabinet for approval and validation in the county assembly. Thereafter, implementation will be rolled out more collaboratively to spur up potato industry.
Stakeholders during the review meeting
