Potato farming in Kenya is a viable venture with the potential for good returns per season if approached calculatively. Proper planning, selection of appropriate varieties, effective management of pests and diseases, and smart marketing strategies are crucial.
By following the best practices and staying informed about market trends, farmers can successfully produce and sell quality potatoes and help solve the perennial food insecurity puzzle at the same time.
How to Approach Potato Farming in Kenya
Potato farming in Kenya has become an increasingly lucrative venture with growing demand from both the local and international markets. To approach this venture, careful planning, attention to detail, and understanding the entire farming cycle from variety selection all through to marketing are needed.
Tip: As always, in farming, the farmer should invest in quality inputs to attain optimal yields.
Capital Outlay (Estimates for 1-acre Potato Farm Setup)
| Item | Quantity | Amount in Ksh (Estimate) |
| Land (lease) | 1 acre/year | 10,000 (may vary) |
| Seedlings | 16 @4200 | 67,200 |
| Soil Test | – | 5,000 |
| Agro Chemicals | 8 litres | 8,000 |
| Transport | 5,000 | |
| Labour | 5-man days×5×300 | 60,000 |
| Fertilizer: D.A.P or NPK (9:23:24) | 50Kgx4 – @7,500 | 30,000 |
| Top Dressing: e.g. NPK (22:6:12) or NPK (17:17:17) | 25Kgx8 – @5,000 | 40,000 |
| Miscellaneous | 25,000 | |
| Total | 250,200 |
Choice of Variety
The choice of the right potato variety dictates success. In Kenya, some popular varieties include:
- Tigoni
- Arizona
- Manitou
- Sherekea
- Markies
- Shangi
- Dutch Robijin
- Asante
- Kenya Mpya
- Kenya Karibu among others.
Most farmers like the “Shangi” variety due to its early maturity though it’s highly susceptible to diseases. Your choice of variety should be informed by market demand and productivity. Dutch Robijin is highly productive and resistant to diseases. Arizona, Markies, and Manitou are the best-performing varieties in Kenya from the Netherlands since they are tolerant to a variety of viruses & droughts and are highly productive.
Site Selection
It is always wise to start by carrying out a soil test to determine the soil amendments needed. For highly acidic soils, one may need to apply lime. Generally, potatoes perform well in well-drained, loamy soils rich in organic matter. The altitude should be between 1500 and 3000 meters above sea level.
The pH should be between 5.5 and 7.0. Avoid planting potatoes where other Solanaceae crops (e.g., tomatoes, eggplants) were previously grown to prevent disease recurrence. Ideal growing regions in Kenya include Upper Eastern, Central, Rift Valley, Kakamega, Bungoma, and Nyanza.
Note: Planting is best done at the onset of the rainy season unless one has the means to provide a steady water supply through irrigation.
Planting
Once you have selected a suitable piece of land and done the basics, the next step is to source certified seeds from seed merchants accredited by KEPHIS. Examples of potato seed merchants include:
- Agrico East Africa
- Kisima Farm
- ADC Molo
The land itself should first be ploughed using a disc plough – this can then be followed up by harrowing to make the soil loose. If organic manure is available, it should be mixed with the soil during the harrowing stage at a rate of 4 tonnes per acre. Ridges are then made to create room for tuber growth.
After that, certified potato seeds with at least three shoots should be planted in rows at a spacing of 30cm by 75cm, although tuber-to-tuber spacing depends on the tuber size and variety.
Apply DAP fertilizer or any NPK that is rich in phosphorous. One should also pay attention to the results obtained during the soil test stage and the advice given by an agronomist.
The seed should be buried 15 cm deep. A 50 kg bag of potato seedlings is typically enough for an 1/8-th acre piece of land.
Keep the land weed-free by weeding manually or by selective herbicides. Top dressing should be done one month after planting – this should be done using a nitrogen-rich fertilizer variant. A second top-dressing should be done at the flower bud formation stage – once again using fertilizer that is rich in urea.
Also Read: The Art of Making 100K Monthly on 50x100ft in Strawberry Farming
Pest and Disease Control
Potatoes are vulnerable to several pests and diseases that can significantly reduce yields. Common pests include:
- Aphids: Cause sooty mold by feeding on sap.
- Cutworms, moles, potato cyst nematode, potato tuber moths.
Common diseases include bacterial wilt, late blight, and early blight. Disease prevention strategies include field hygiene, the use of certified seeds, frequent scouting, and removing infected plants. Chemical treatments like Mancozeb (a fungicide) can help manage diseases.
Potato Harvesting
Potatoes are usually ready for harvesting within 4 months of planting. They should have formed a strong skin, which can be tested using the “thumb test” (the skin should not slip off when pressed laterally).
The mature crop is then dehaulmed (removing the plant’s leaves) one week before harvesting. Uproot the tubers by using a fork after the haulms are completely dry.
After sorting and grading, cure the potatoes in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area for 10 days to toughen the skins and extend shelf life. For large-scale operations, machine harvesting may be used, but care should be taken to avoid damaging the tubers.
Ideally, the harvested potato should be packaged in 50 kg bags for ease of handling.
With proper management, potatoes can yield from 14 tonnes per acre upwards according to a past study by JICA. Even if one sells their product at a conservative farmgate price of Ksh3500 per 50KG bag, we’re looking at a potential Ksh980,000 in sales revenues.
Marketing
It is strategic to find a market for your ware potato beforehand. Owing to the high demand of potatoes you can consider selling your potato to processing companies like Tropikal, KFC, local supermarkets, and schools. Alternatively, you can do value addition to make products like crips, and chips among others in an effort to maximize profits.
Tip: Be keen on seasonal price fluctuations, prices tend to rise during the dry season due to reduced supply. Early planting and harvesting can help you take advantage of these high-price periods.
Conclusion
Potato farming in Kenya is a viable and profitable business if done right. From the careful selection of seed varieties to managing pests and diseases, and harvesting at the right time, every step in the process requires attention to detail. With proper planning and management, an acre of land can yield significant returns within 3-4 months – especially when coupled with strategic marketing.
With a BSc in Agricultural Biotechnology, Dennis is a results-oriented author who draws extensively from his farm management experience. When he’s not working on the farm or contributing to the Bizsasa platform, he enjoys watching soccer with friends.