POTATO DIALOGUE PLATFORM BONN GERMANY POTATO INITIATIVE AFRICA

POTATO DIALOGUE PLATFORM BONN, GERMANY POTATO INITIATIVE AFRICA KENYA Prof. John Nderitu National Potato council of Kenya

Kenyan potato industry-Constraints � Weak Seed systems, inadequate production of certified seed: less than 2% of the annual requirement of about 200, 000 tonnes � Pests and diseases � Seasonality in production due to reliance on rain-fed production � Soil fertility Degradation � Low mechanization hence potential land for potato production is not utilized.

Kenyan potato industry-Constraints � lack of appropriate storage facilities � High Post-harvest losses (12%), losses due to other factors (7%) � Non-adherence to packaging/measurement standards � Limited value addition hence loss in value � Missing produce aggregation systems � Limited financial services geared to potato production due to high risk and market unreliability

Introduction to PIA � PIA supports linkages between Kenyan and German institutions and companies to promote the potato sector in various levels of the value chain to benefit small scale farmers. � Objective is to Develop an integrated approach for modernization of the Kenyan potato sector. � Business model is centered around potato processing.

German Partners � Solana and Europlant – Seed � K+S Kali – Soil Fertility � Bayer and Syngenta – Crop protection & management � Grimme – Mechanization

Kenyan Partners � National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK) � State Department of Agriculture Crop Directorate. � Syngenta & Bayer Crop Science � � MEA Limited- Fertilizer Nyandarua County (Agricultural Mechanization Station, Agricultural Training Centre) � Processors (PROPACK, NORDA, SERENI FRIES). � Farmers - Lowland Farm (Large scale) Nyandarua, Meru, Bungoma county (small scale). � Equity bank. � FMD - Machinery Agent � International Potato Centre (CIP)- Demo management � Kenya Plant Heath Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS)

PIA Achievements � Coordination and networking of key partners and information exchange between PIA partners. � Testing of performance 3 new potato varieties: Jelly , Caruso and Connect. � Demonstration of mechanization: showcasing mechanization on potato production. Nyandarua county has bought a set that is being used by farmers. � Soil Fertility: Fertilizer blend that is specific to potato production (N: P: K 16: 8: 22+2 Mg. O+2 S) is already available in the market.

More PIA Achievements � Demonstration of Crop Protection: Integrated pest management programme. � Processing: Engagement with processors NORDA and SERENI Fries. � Financial services: Engagement with financial institutions mainly Equity bank for credit. � Over 2000 farmers reached during field days.

Challenges faced in PIA implementation � Cumbersome seed import procedures (under open quarantine- procedures) � Synchronization of operations, especially mechanization � High expectations from farmers � High expectations by the processors for commercial volumes of varieties � New varieties not easily acceptable in the market

Strategic areas of intervention � Institutional Strengthening and intergration of stakeholder networks –into existing institutions at different levels of governance and within the subsector (NPCK, Counties, AFFA, Mo. ALF, KEPHIS, KALRO, Universities, Private sector, ADC) � Promote and empower farmers’ organizations to articulate concerns in production and marketing � Strengthen research-extension linkages � Review, harmonize and enforce existing potato standards for both local and export markets � Strenghtening of seed systems (research, breeding, multiplication, storage, marketing) � Ware potato storage