Kenya’s potato sector faces a persistent shortage of quality seed, which continues to hinder productivity and income for thousands of smallholder farmers. As a key stakeholder in strengthening the potato value chain, the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK) is actively working with partners to introduce innovative solutions that address this challenge.

In a collaborative initiative led by the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA), NPCK has partnered with KALRO, FIPs Africa, and Egerton University to promote the adoption of Rooted Apical Cuttings (RAC)—a fast, clean, and efficient seed multiplication technology. This effort is part of the CAADP-XP4 programme, funded by the European Union and managed by IFAD, and builds on previous training under the AIRTEA project supported by the OACPS through the ACP Innovation Fund.

On April 28, the team camped in Marioshoni, Elburgon (Nakuru County) to support farmers in establishing RAC demonstration plots through local cooperatives and innovation platforms. Just two days later, on April 30, a similar activity was conducted in Murungaru, Nyandarua County, where 25 members of the Blessed Potato Farmers Self-Help Group were trained and each provided with 50 rooted apical cuttings to bulk their own seed.

These demonstration sites are not only building technical capacity but also enabling farmers to transition toward self-reliant, sustainable seed systems using market-preferred potato varieties. NPCK remains committed to supporting such strategic partnerships that enhance farmer access to clean seed, increase productivity, and ultimately transform the potato subsector.