A master plan is key in offering roadmap for the potato industry for the next 10-year, it is a long-term strategic blueprint that will guide the potato industry towards achieving the desired transformation. Master plan is an improvement from the national potato strategy which has been useful in guiding the industry after every 5 years since 2016.

Over the past ten years, the National Potato Strategy has been very pivotal in guiding improvement of the potato industry as its overall goal has been to harmonize the activities of different players and fully utilize their synergies and complementarities by guiding all actors both at county and national levels, addressing the industry challenges and tapping into available opportunities.

The strategy has been geared towards transforming the potato industry into a commercially oriented enterprise that has been keen in ensuring steps towards sustainable food and nutrition security and surplus for trade, export, and increased incomes.

Potato, being the second most important food and cash crop in Kenya after maize, holds a prime position due to its significant contribution to food security, poverty reduction, and economic development. It is cultivated by over 1.3 million smallholder farmers, provides employment to approximately 3.5 million people along the marketing chain, and contributes over KES 70 billion to the national economy. The industry’s importance is further highlighted in key national frameworks such as the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS), Kenya Vision 2030, and the National Potato Strategy (NPS) 2021–2025.

Despite the crop’s contributions, the potato industry’s full potential remains untapped due to fragmented interventions, weak coordination, limited investments, and inadequate long-term planning. The National Potato Strategy (NPS) 2021- 2025 has provided valuable guidance, resulting in notable progress in areas such as variety development, value addition, and regulatory improvement. However, the absence of a long term industry-wide master plan continues to hinder full realization of the sector’s potential. To position the potato industry as a vibrant, competitive, and sustainable driver of agricultural transformation, there is a need to develop a comprehensive 10-year Potato Industry Master Plan (2026-2035). This master plan will serve as a blueprint for coordinated development, guiding investments, policies, research, and partnerships across the value chain from seed to market and value addition.

To position the potato industry as a vibrant, competitive, and sustainable driver of agricultural transformation, there is a need to develop a comprehensive 10-year Potato Industry Master Plan (2026-2035). This Master Plan will serve as a coordinated blueprint for guiding investments, policies, research, and partnerships across the value chain from seed to value addition.

On 23^rd September 2025, NPCK in collaboration with CIP and with support from AGRA through KSPI project, paid a courtesy visit to the Principal Secretary, State Department of Agriculture. The meeting highlighted the progress of the National Potato Strategy (NPS) 2021-2025 and the need to initiate its review. The PS affirmed support for this process, which will lead to the development of a 10-year Potato Industry Master Plan (2026-2035). The master plan will then be adopted in the industry to guide the transformation and sustainability of the potato value chain.

The PS Agriculture Hon. Dr. Paul Rono (Centre), and CIP and NPCK officials

Unlocking the Potential of Potato Processing: Requirements, Challenges and NPCK’s Interventions

Potato is Kenya’s second most important food crop after maize, contributing significantly to food security, nutrition, and rural incomes. Over one million households grow potatoes, supporting 2.7 million people along the value chain and contributing more than KES 50 billion annually to the economy. Recognizing its potential, the government has prioritized the potato value chain under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) within the Food Security Pillar.

The Promise of Potato Processing

Potato processing enhances value addition, reduces post-harvest losses often as high as 40% and creates diverse market opportunities. By transforming raw tubers into high-value products such as crisps, chips, fries, starch, flour, and flakes, the sector can increase profitability and employment across the value chain. Growing urban populations and rising demand for convenient foods have made processing a key driver of future growth in Kenya’s potato industry.

 Requirements for Successful Processing

Efficient potato processing requires an integrated system ensuring quality, safety, and consistency from farm to factory.

• Quality Raw Materials: Processing industries demand varieties with high dry matter (above 20%), low sugar content, uniform size, and good texture. Certified seed use and sound agronomic practices are essential for uniformity and disease-free produce.
• Pre-Processing Steps: Sorting, cleaning, peeling, slicing, and blanching maintain product quality and appearance.
• Infrastructure and Equipment: Modern facilities need washers, slicers, fryers, dryers, packaging machines, reliable power, clean water, and waste management systems.
• Food Safety and Quality Standards: Compliance with KEBS, KEPHIS, and Public Health Department regulations, along with GMP and HACCP, ensures product safety and competitiveness.
• • Certified Seed Promotion: NPCK collaborates with research institutions, seed companies, and national and county governments to promote high-quality varieties suitable for processing.
  • Farmer–Processor Linkages: Through aggregation models and contract farming, NPCK enhances consistent raw material supply and market access.
  • Value Addition and Investments: Under the Kenya Sustainable Potato Initiative (KSPI), NPCK promotes establishment of modern processing and cold storage facilities.
  • Policy and Standards Development: NPCK works with government agencies to develop and harmonize quality standards and advocate for supportive policies.
  • Digital Linkages: The Viazi Soko Digital Platform connects farmers, traders, and processors, improving coordination and transparency.
  • Capacity Building: NPCK, in collaboration with partners, conducts training on good agricultural practices, food safety, and processing technologies.Skilled Personnel and Packaging: Trained staff, proper cold storage, and food-grade packaging preserve product integrity and extend shelf life.
    • Regulatory and Market Requirements: Processors must secure necessary licenses, maintain traceability, and align with consumer and export market preferences.

     Challenges Facing the Sector

    Despite its potential, the potato processing industry faces key constraints: limited supply of processing-quality potatoes, low use of certified seed, poor post-harvest handling, high production and energy costs, inadequate infrastructure, and weak enforcement of standards. As a result, only a small portion of Kenya’s potato output is currently processed into value-added products. 

    NPCK’s Role in Strengthening the Potato Processing Industry

    The National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK) plays a leading role in coordinating and transforming the sector through partnerships, innovation, and policy support. 

  The Way Forward

  Unlocking Kenya’s potato processing potential requires investments in infrastructure, certified seed systems, research on suitable varieties, and stronger public–private partnerships to accelerate innovation and investment in processing, packaging, and marketing. 

  Conclusion

  Potato processing offers vast opportunities for reducing losses, creating jobs, and enhancing food security. Through providing forums for engagement, networking, lobbying and advocacy, coordination, and innovation, NPCK continues to drive the development of a competitive, sustainable, and inclusive potato industry that supports farmers, strengthens processors, and contributes to Kenya’s economic transformation.