As part of its efforts to transform the Potato Industry, the NPCK has established forums for information sharing, showcasing technologies, and innovations and for business-to-business interactions. These initiatives are aimed at increasing awareness and sharing knowledge on innovations and technologies in developing agribusinesses, increasing availability of high quality inputs and improving productivity, which lead to transformation of the potato subsector.
In February 16th 2018, the Potato council in partnership with the County government of Nyeri organized for the Eastern and central region Potato fair under the theme Enhancing technologies in Potato value chains for food security and agribusiness, at Wambugu Farm Agricultural Training center in Nyeri. The event brought together different actors in the potato value chain, which included seed potato producers, Input providers, Fertilizer Companies, organic farming, Finance, value addition and soil testing companies.
The objectives of the fair were:
- To create awareness on technologies and innovations.
- To provide a networking platform for service providers and other stakeholders.
- Enlighten on potato policy, regulations, and standards.
There were 19 Potato demonstration plots where different potato varieties and seed potato technologies were displayed and 36 exhibitors from across the value chain that displayed their products and services on
- New and improved Potato Varieties for better yields
- Methods of Farming and Input application
- Soil and crop Nutrition
- New Innovation and technologies in seed potato production
- Organic Farming
- Crop Financing and insurance
The event was attended by 34 partners, over 1,000 farmers and was officially opened by Director of Agricultural Schools, Dr. Henry Ndege who represented the Cabinet Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Hon Mwangi Kiunjuri and was officially closed by Governor of Nyeri County, Hon Mutahi Kahiga. In attendance also was the County executive member in charge of Agriculture from Nyandarua County and the potato consortium.
The Fair was supported by development partners who included Grow Africa, Alliance for Green Revolution (AGRA), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization and the County government of Nyeri
