Increasing access to seed potato: Decentralized seed multiplication for small scale farmers across Kenya

Across Kenya, potato farmers are embracing innovations that could help increase their food production and eventually improve the nutritional status of their households. Potato a must in most kenyan diets yet good quality seed is scarce for today’s potato farmer. Access to quality seed potato is the principal constraint facing small scale farmers in the potato value chain in Kenya.

For many potato growing regions, small scale farmers have to travel great distances to access certified seed producers. “I can’t afford to travel over 300km just to get seed, I just cant” said Chebet Kemei a potato farmer in Bomet County. This is about to change.

The Feed the future Kenya AVCD potato value chain component is developing local seed systems and creating demand for quality seed. Together with county governments, local partners and the support from the American People. Today, seed multipliers are harvesting quality seed, this is the first time quality seed will be available for farmers in North Rift counties.