Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has urged investors to put money into potato farming, processing and storage as Kenya seeks to reduce imports and increase the supply of locally produced potato products.
Kagwe made the call on Monday, October 26, when he opened the 13th World Potato Congress, which has brought together about 1,000 delegates from 67 countries.
The event, running from October 26 to 30, is the first World Potato Congress to be held in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is expected to provide a platform for discussions on potato production, seed development, mechanisation, storage and processing.
Kagwe said the discussions should translate into better incomes for farmers and improved access to markets.
“A food secure, healthier, prosperous farmer is also, in my considered view, a prerequisite for a safer, stable and productive society,” he said.
Kenya Seeks to Cut Potato Imports
Kagwe said Kenya had an opportunity to produce more potato products locally instead of relying on imports.
During a preparatory meeting the previous week, he said local production met about 40 per cent of the market demand, while imports accounted for the remaining 60 per cent.
“This is an opportunity to substitute imports,” he said.
The CS called on investors to support businesses that connect farmers to processors, hotels, restaurants and fast-food outlets. Such investments, he said, would help expand local production and create opportunities for farmers and other players in the value chain.
He also invited investors to consider leasing idle public land under the government’s Land Commercialization Initiative, which allows private investors to use the land for agricultural production on a long-term basis.
Kagwe indicated that the project will enable commercial agriculture along with investments in irrigation, technology, value addition and market opportunities.
Potato Crop Production Down in 2024
Potato is the second most important food crop and a cash crop in Kenya, contributing to livelihoods for people engaged in farming, transportation, trading, processing and food services.
As per the figures released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, National Agriculture Production Report 2025, potatoes were produced in the quantity of 2.2 million tons in 2024 worth KSh72.5 billion.
This was a decrease from 2.3 million tons in 2023. Kagwe partially blamed this to poor short rains and excess long rains, which led to the outbreak of fungal disease such as potato blight.
In order to counter this, he said that the government has taken certain steps for ensuring the availability of high-quality seeds, control of diseases and promotion of climate-smart farming and reduction in post-harvest losses.
Late Blight-Resistant Variety Under Development
Kagwe also cited the research work done by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and International Potato Center for developing late blight resistant potato through the Shangi variety.
He said the variety had been developed by introducing three resistance genes into Shangi and had shown complete resistance to late blight during field trials. The development could help reduce the need for fungicide spraying against the disease.
The CS also cited Clone IG-70, a potato variety developed through KALRO’s Potato Research Centre in Tigoni. He said the variety was tolerant to drought and blight and was progressing towards final verification.
Kagwe further pointed to the KALRO Marindas Potato Sub-Centre in Kuresoi North, Nakuru County, which was commissioned three months ago to improve access to certified seed and provide farmers with training in modern farming methods.
Government Plans More Investment in Irrigation
The CS also outlined the government’s irrigation plans, which include developing 50 mega dams, 200 medium-sized dams and 1,000 water pans and reservoirs.
The projects are intended to reduce reliance on rainfall, which has contributed to fluctuations in agricultural production.
The World Potato Congress has attracted more delegates than initially expected, with 1,000 participants from 67 countries against an initial target of 600 delegates from 60 countries.
The gathering is expected to bring together farmers, researchers, investors and other industry players to discuss ways of improving potato production and expanding opportunities in the sector.