Potato farming in Kenya is one of the most lucrative farming businesses in the country. It is the third most important food worldwide and in Kenya it is the second most important subsequent food crop after maize. Nyandarua County is the highest producer of potatoes in Kenya because it is the most grown crop by small-scale farmers generating food and employment for the people and the country in large.
Marking the first international potato celebration conference and trade fair on 30th May 2024 held at KALRO (Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization) Ol joro orok, Nyandarua county, bearing its theme “Harvesting diversity and feeding the future” had activities like exhibition, field demos and knowledge sharing sessions.
Different stakeholders and sponsors who attended the international potato celebration in Ol ojo orok showcasing exhibitions to the farmers.
Its main objectives were; to celebrate the diversity of potatoes and its significant nutritional, economic, environmental, and cultural contribution globally. Secondly, networking and knowledge sharing among stakeholders in the potato value chain, promote adoption of sustainable practices and innovation and lastly launch partnership for enhancing transformation of potato industry.
The event was attended by the national and county government officials such as governor of Nyandarua H.E Kiarie Badilisha, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Hon Mithika Linturi, Hon Francis Mirigu who is the county executive committee member in Nyandarua County, Director General of KARLO Dr. Eliud Kireger, Mr. Douglous Kangi National government Director of crop development and others. There were also key sponsors such as Twiga Chemicals, OCP group, Seeds2B Africa, Solidadrid and farmers.
During the event there was variety potato exhibition, sharing knowledge of potato seed to the farmers, showcasing of chemical and non-chemical methods of pest and weed control, post harvesting, value addition, storage, potato industry and how to enhance potato production rate.
The host Wachira Kaguongo who is the C.E.O of National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK) said that Nyandarua is the highest producer of potatoes in Kenya and for the past few months they have been urging the government to set up a packaging potato industry in the county.
“Nyandarua is the highest producer of potatoes in the country as it produces more potatoes unlike other counties, for a long time we have been fighting to have a potato packaging industry here but it’s yet to be set up. We hope that it will be done soon as possible.” he said.
James Biringo, one of the guest speakers said that it was the first event of potato celebration to happen in Nyandarua and he hoped that it is the beginning of many more celebration in the county. “This is the first potato celebration to be done in Nyandarua, I have been raised farming potato so this comes as a surprise to me. I just hope that this being the beginning it has opened doors for more celebration to happen,” he said.
Farmers who attended the international potato conference in Ol joro orok listening to different agriculture experts.
He added that more companies and stake holders should participate in supplying potato seeds to farmers especially in apical cuttings and small tubers there has been always a gap.
“Stake holders and companies should join hands with farmers and provide seeds unto them especially in apical cuttings and small tubers because there has always been a gap,” he said.
Most of the agriculture officials present urged the farmers to continue embracing potato farming as they will also work with them by providing seeds coming next month not forgetting fertilizers and chemicals in fair prices.