NGPU May 11, 2023

Farmers urged to use certified seeds variety to increase productivity

Written by Mercy Kihugu

Farmers have been urged to buy and use certified potato seeds from registered seed producers to increase productivity.

According to statistics the average potato yield increases from 30 to 50 percent from the use of good quality seeds as compared to farmers who use recycled seeds.

The clarion call was made during a training session by the Nakuru county Department of Agriculture in partnership with the International Potato Center which conducted a Variety Scout (Varscout) digital application review training for extension officers.

The application assists farmers and officers in getting information on potatoes and beans varieties, markets and availability of inputs among others.

It also serve as a tool for farmers, extension officers, agronomists and stakeholders in the potatoes and beans value chains to know where various varieties of potatoes are being grown across the country.

The session saw beans introduced in the platform. The introduction of beans will help farmers get to know drought tolerant varieties which will help in achieving food and nutrition security in the country.

This comes after Governor Susan Kihika recently toured Simplifine Potato Factory in Naivasha where she expressed concern that the factory could not meet local demand for frozen french fries which stands at 350 tons in a month. Currently, the factory is processing between 7 to 8 tons of potatoes a day.

Farmers are encouraged to use technology to help them get easy access to markets through real-time data on market prices, weather forecasts, information on pests, seed varieties and planting techniques.

The officers were drawn from Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Bungoma, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nyandarua and Meru Counties.