KALRO Commissions 600-Acre Seed Potato Centre to Raise Yields in Nakuru

Potato production in Nakuru County is set for a boost following the commissioning of a 600-acre Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) seed potato production centre in Marindas, Kuresoi North.

The facility was commissioned by Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Rono and will serve as a centre for seed potato research and production, targeting one of the major constraints facing potato farmers in the region.

The national government also plans to establish a National Farmers Training Centre at the site, which will provide training to farmers from across the country on modern agricultural practices and value chain development.

Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones said the widespread use of recycled planting material remains a major challenge for potato farmers. More than 95 per cent of local farmers are estimated to rely on saved seed, which can contribute to the spread and buildup of diseases over successive planting seasons.

Diseases and pests associated with poor-quality planting material include bacterial wilt, late blight and potato cyst nematodes. Their spread can reduce yields and increase production costs for farmers.

Kones said the new facility would help address the problem by increasing access to certified and disease-free seed while supporting research into improved potato production.

“This centre addresses the root cause of low yields by bringing certified, disease-free seeds and cutting-edge research directly to our farmers,” Kones said.

He said access to quality seed could help raise average potato yields from about 15 metric tonnes per hectare to as much as 25 metric tonnes under suitable production conditions.

The facility is expected to support seed multiplication while providing a platform for researchers and farmers to test and demonstrate improved production technologies.

Nakuru is one of Kenya’s major potato-producing counties, with the crop providing an important source of food and income for thousands of smallholder farmers. Access to affordable, quality seed has remained a key issue in efforts to improve productivity.

Beyond seed production and research, the Marindas facility is expected to create employment opportunities for residents. It will also serve as a demonstration farm showcasing different crop and livestock value chains.

The planned farmers’ training centre is expected to strengthen the link between agricultural research and farmers by providing practical training on production, disease management, value addition and other aspects of agribusiness.

The government has increasingly emphasised the use of certified planting material as part of efforts to improve agricultural productivity. For potato farmers, replacing repeatedly recycled seed with quality planting material can help reduce disease pressure and improve crop establishment.

The commissioning brings together research, seed production and farmer training at one site, creating a platform that could support potato productivity beyond Nakuru.

Industrialisation Principal Secretary Juma Mukhwana, KALRO Director General Patrick Ketiem, county officials led by CECM Leonard Bor and Chief Officer for Gender Gladys Kamuren, as well as area Members of Parliament and Members of the County Assembly, attended the commissioning.