In Kenya, AGRA, in partnership with the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK), Egerton University, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), and County Governments, have initiated the Kenya Sustainable Potato Initiative (KSPI). This program is designed to enhance the potato sector in Nyandarua, Meru, Laikipia, and Nandi Counties by fostering sustainable potato food systems through increased productivity and improved marketing strategies.
The KSPI aims to directly benefit 150,000 farmers, by boosting their productivity and incomes. It also focuses on enhancing the industry's competitiveness through value addition, marketing improvements, and a better policy environment. Additionally, the initiative is set to generate over 4,800 jobs for young individuals in various sectors including primary production, input sourcing, marketing, service provision, and seed multiplication.
Slated for implementation from July 2024 to June 2027, the KSPI will be executed in Nyandarua, Meru, Laikipia, and Nandi Counties. The project collaboration includes NPCK, KALRO, Egerton University, Viazi Kings, and SimpleFine. It aims to establish inclusive and structured input and output markets, enhance access to financial services and trade opportunities for smallholder potato farmers, and improve the enabling environment and coordination within the potato sub-sector for inclusive agricultural transformation. Funded by the Gates Foundation through AGRA, this project is poised to play a critical role in food security and in integrating small-scale farmers into the seed and ware potato value chains in Kenya.
Source: kilimonews.co.ke