The National Potato Council of Kenya and Corteva Agriscience have embarked on plans to increase yield among smallholder farmers from 7 tonnes to 20 tonnes per hectare, according to a report by KBC’s Ronald Owlli.
He reports that the partnership intends to introduce new technologies and train smallholder farmers in Kenya on how to improve potato yields through the use of quality seed, resilient and improved varieties, pest and disease management, post-harvest management, and record-keeping.
Seven demonstration plots have been set up in potato growing regions in several sub-counties in the country. Corteva Agriscience Sales Leader EA Francis Karanja, said the collaboration with the National Potato Council of Kenya is meant to help farmers increase productivity and income and ensure farmers have access to best farming practices.
“The products and information we share help farmers manage potato pests and diseases, incorporate the latest advances in sustainability and technology into their daily operations,” Karanja said.
“The technology we are bringing on board, incorporates best agronomic practices, modern technology to provide scientific control of fungal diseases and safe use of chemicals is meant to increase the potato yields per hectare in the smallholdings significantly,’’ he added.
Source: KBC. Read the full report here
Photo: Francis Karanja, Corteva Agriscience EA Sales Leader(L) with Peter Chesum, a potato farmer, during a farmer’s field day in Ainabkoi Subcounty in Eldoret | KBC
