Kenya: Potato farmers turn to growing contracts to earn more money, get better seed

According to a report by AllAfrica.com, Kenyan potato farmers are increasingly turning to production contracts with food processors in a system known as contract farming through the East African Potato Consortium. By working with the consortium, they reportedly get access to seed that better stand up to harsher local conditions, better fertilisers, and get a guaranteed price for their crop, as long as they produce good quality potatoes on time. A consortium, which was set up in 2016 by the National Potato Council, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa and the Grow Africa partnership, aims to increase private investment in agriculture by linking potato farmers with food processors across the country, said Wachira Kaguongo, head of the National Potato Council. Contract farming has allowed farmers to sell produce to food giants such as the fast-food chain KFC. So far 5,000 farmers have signed up to the system, with a total of 23,000 expected to have made the switch by 2020, said Kaguongo. (Source: AllAfrica.com)