ROOTS OF EXCELLENCE: OPTIMIZING SEED POTATO PRODUCTION ANDPROMOTING BEST AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES
Background information
Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the second staple food after maize in Kenya, playing a crucial role in the national government's commitment to food security through BETA in Agriculture. The potato sector supports over 800,000 farmers, serving as both a source of sustenance and a cornerstone of economic empowerment and agricultural development. Potato farming being one of the major sources of livelihood for farmers from Nyandarua County, TAGDev(https://tagdev.egerton.ac.ke/) program at Egerton University(https://www.egerton.ac.ke/) conducted a capacity building session to 25 farmers from Nyamarura Dairy Farmers Cooperative, on seed potato production and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
Enock Rugut (https://www.linkedin.com/company/ nakuru-tubers/ , a specialist on seed potato production trained farmers on grading of seed potato and the different classes, including pre-basic seeds, basic seeds, and certified seeds which will help them in selecting the right type of seeds to achieve optimal yields. He emphasized on not utilizing on-farm saved seeds or “seeds” acquired from neighboring farmers to prevent the spread of diseases and pests, which lead to low production.
The farmers were also trained on the certification process of potato seeds emphasizing the importance of using certified seeds to ensure high-quality and disease-free potato crops and subsequently give high yields and income. Certified seeds undergo rigorous testing and inspection to meet quality standards, helping to minimize crop losses and improve yields. Francis muiruri, the assistant secretary for green silver cooperative in Nyandarua County informed the farmers on the plans they had put in place to ensure they get quality potato seeds for planting whereby he informed them that soon they would be supplied with quality potato seeds for planting.
After ensuring the seeds they buy are certified they were further trained on proper seed size selection to enhance uniform crop growth and productivity. The training provided guidelines on choosing the appropriate seed size for planting, emphasizing sizes I and II and discouraging the use of small tubers often referred to as “chats.” Selecting the right seed size can significantly influence the tuber number,uniformity of the plants and production rate. During the interactive sessions with the farmers, they were taught techniques of seed grading to ensure uniformity and quality in their production.
Effective seed storage practices using diffused light storage (DLS) was emphasized to prevent spoilageand maintain seed viability. DLS ensures that the seed are well placed in shelves and there is good air circulation and penetration of diffuse light important in ensuring development of short and strong sprouts. This is important in ensuring uniformity in crop growth and development upon planting of tubers. Proper storage techniques are crucialfor maintaining the quality of the seeds and ensuring their readiness for the next planting season. The training included sessions on effective marketing strategies to help farmers maximize their profits. Topics such as market analysis, pricing, and distribution channels were covered. Understanding market dynamics and developing effective marketing plans can help farmers better position their products and improve their income. Farmers were introduced to climate - smart potato varieties such as Wanjiku, Sherekea,and Unica, which are resilient to changing weather patterns and diseases. These varieties are tolerant to blight and yields are higher compared to the commonly cultivated Shangivariety hence important in ensuring food security and promoting sustainable farming practices. Climate-smart varieties are designed to withstand adverse conditions, thus reducing the risk of crop failure and contributing to a consistent food and income supply.
In order to increase productivity in farming, Prof. Arnold Opiyo, from the department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Egerton University(https://www.egerton.ac.ke/) trained the farmers on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) which are anchored on four pillars: economic viability, environmental sustainability, social acceptability and food safety and quality. Observing GAP help to promote sustainable agriculture, meeting national and international environmental standards in farm produce, improve safety and quality of food and other agricultural products, encouraging culture of food safety and facilitating market access.
To embrace GAP, factors such as soil erosion, pest and diseases, land history, previous crop rotation, and environmental protection should be considered. The farmers were also equipped with skills of organic farming, the use of organic fertilizers in their farming. They were trained on using treated organic fertilizers when planting or in early stages of plant growth to reduce risks of pests and diseases. However, in case of pests on your crops, the farmers were trained on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) which involves the use of different methods of managing pest infestation on crops to get the best solutions.
Pest control methods include: cultural methods, biological methods, physical methods and even chemical methods. IPM is key in reducing the use of agro chemicals that may be hazardous to the environment and health of people and animals. After using the chemicals, the farmers were trained on proper disposal methods of empty packaging containers. The farmers led by the area chief Mr. Paul G. Kaguai were very grateful for the training organized by TAGDev program and requested for even more of these capacity building programs for them to gain more skills and transform their agricultural practices for better outcome.
BY: IAN KAMAU, COMMUNICATION Intern TAGDev
