NPCK in partnership with potato seed companies, agrochemical and fertilizer companies actively participated in the planning and planting of potato demonstration farms to transfer useful knowledge and information to farmers on use of certified potato seeds, modern technologies and innovations, use of potato specific fertilizers, the recommended agrochemicals to control pests and diseases, and the importance of good agricultural practices in potato production. Such initiatives continue to enlighten potato farmers on good agricultural practices in potato production, enhance potato productivity and improve farmer’s income and businesses in the potato value chain.

Short rains farm demonstrations are on-going in four project counties namely; Nandi, Meru, Nyandarua and Laikipia) under the Kenya Sustainable Potato Initiative (KSPI) project. In each of the four counties, three demo sites were identified and one non-project demo site in Nakuru county. These sites were identified following the criteria in the questionnaire where the farmer has to be in a farmers’ group, the land should not have been planted with crops in the Solanacearum family for the last 4-7 seasons, should be accessible and should have water for irrigation.

Steps in identifying farm demo site:

1. Soil sampling

A standard operating procedure (SOP) for collecting soil samples from farms was developed. The procedure outlines how to collect soil samples to be submitted to the laboratory for pathological tests which include bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum and potato cyst nematodes (PCN), as well as soil fertility test.

Soil testing is extremely essential for maintaining a sustainable soil fertility and fertilizer management program for the farm, increase crop yields and lower input costs. Accurate sampling is absolutely critical to a successful soil management plan for any farm because all recommendations are based on the samples submitted to the laboratory.

While collecting soil samples from the field, the actual size of the sample area was determined by considering factors such as; soil colour and type, previous cropping history, previous lime or fertilizer applications, slope and drainage. For areas where very large areas of land are uniform, the land was divided into smaller areas and sampled individually as a unit

The recommended depth of sampling the soil was 15 -25 cm depending on the type of crop, cultural practices, tillage depth and nutrients to be analyzed.

To ensure uniformity and representation of the whole field, the soil samples were collected from the farm in a zigzag pattern as shown below using soil auger. The sub-samples collected from different points should be mixed thoroughly in a clean bucket and a kilogram of the soil submitted for each of the analysis.

A total of 13 soil samples, each per demo site were collected, clearly labeled and submitted for pathological and soil fertility analyses. The farms free from bacterial wilt, and PCN were prepared for the field demos.

(ii)  Land preparation:

Land preparation is key for increase crop productivity. It helps create the best conditions for plants to grow and establish themselves. The pieces of land identified for the demos in different counties were ploughed and harrowed using tractors before planting.

(iii) Potato planting

Use of certified potato seeds to minimize on spread of pests and diseases for increasing potato productivity is emphasized.  Before planting, the farmers should ensure that the potato tubers have sprouted, prepare trenches that are 12-15cm deep and at a spacing of 75 cm x 30 cm apart. Place the sprouted tuber flat with the eye facing up, apply the recommended fertilizers at the recommended rate and cover with enough soil. Use the recommended agrochemicals after they emerge to control pests and diseases.

Under the KSPI project, NPCK together with other partners in the potato sub sector planted 12 potato demo farms in four project counties namely: Meru, Nyandarua, Laikipia and Nandi. An extra demo site in Nakuru, a non-project county was planted too.

During planting the farmers from the farmers group in the area were trained by different partners on the good agricultural practices (GAP) in potato production including the importance of using certified potato seeds, the recommended spacing, depth of the trenches for potatoes and the recommended potato fertilizers and their rates of application. Farmers actively participated in the planting of certified potato tubers of different varieties from various partners as well as apical cuttings.

Apical cuttings planted at a demo site in Njabini, Nyandarua county