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REPORT ON AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (ADC) MOLO-
SIRIKWA FARM POTATO VARIETY FIELD DAY ON 8TH SEPTEMBER 2017 HELD AT
SIRIKWA FARM, MOLO
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Executive Summary
The Field day was held at ADC Sirikwa farm in Molo Sub County, Nakuru County. It was
organized by KEPHIS in conjunction with ADC- Molo. The main focus of this field day
was to improve the potato seed variety awareness among the small scale farmers in
Nakuru County and its environs.According to the Ministry of Agriculture there are 52
potatoes seed varieties currently available. The event also provided an opportunity for
industry players to show case the available agricultural technologies which can be
applied to increase yields. Participants of the field day included; Kenya Agricultural and
Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Ministry of Agriculture, Syngenta, National
Potato Council, Yara, Amiran and Egerton University. The speeches from the invited
guests insisted on the need for farmers to embrace new technology in their farms. This
included the use of certified potato seed to increase yields hence improve food security.
The speech from the Guest of Honor particularly insisted on the use of certified seeds to
improve potato yields. The MCF @Egerton students who attended the event had the
opportunity to learn and network with the industry players. Though a lot needs to be
done to spur growth in the potato industry, the field was a step towards the right
direction
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... ii
1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 1
2.0. Exhibitors .................................................................................................................................................. 2
2.1. National Potato Council of Kenya ............................................................................................... 3
2.2. Kenya Agricultural Research and Livestock Organization (KARLO) ................................ 4
2.3. Ministry of Agriculture .................................................................................................................... 5
2.4 Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service ................................................................................... 5
2.5 Egerton University ............................................................................................................................. 6
2.6 Agricultural Development Corporation ..................................................................................... 6
2.7. Other Exhibitors ................................................................................................................................. 7
3.0 Homilies during the field day ............................................................................................................ 8
4.0 Student testimonials ........................................................................................................................... 10
5.0 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................................. 10
ANNEX 1: Attendance Sheet ................................................................................................................... 11
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1.0 Introduction
The ADC Molo- Sirikwa farm, Potato Variety Field day took place on Friday, 8th
September 2017. The farm is located in Sirikwa Ward, Molo Sub County, Nakuru County,
Kenya. The event was organized by Kenya Plant and Health Inspectorate Service
(KEPHIS), Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC),Molo and other stakeholders
such as Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Ministry of
Agriculture, Agro Chemical Companies, Potato Value Chain Project (CARP+) among
others. The purpose of this field day was to give an opportunity to the different players
in the potato value chain to showcase their products and services to the farmers.
Figure 1: Potato farm at Sirikwa
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, potato is the second most important food and
nutrition crop in Kenya after maize. Nyandarua County has the highest production of
potato followed by Nakuru County. Other major producersof potato include; Narok,
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Nyeri, Bomet, West PokotTaita-Taveta, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Trans-Nzoia, Bungoma, Uasin-
Gishu and Kiambu.
Since 2013, breeders from Kenya and Netherlands have released over 52 potato
varieties. These varieties have higher tuber yields, disease resistant and suitable for
various market purposes (crisping and French fries). However, very few farmers are
aware of these varieties. KEPHIS, therefore, in collaboration with seed potato breeders
and agrochemical companies, organized the event to create awareness and showcase
the new improved varieties. The event had targeted over 400 farmers in Nakuru County.
The 15 MasterCard students (Annex 1) were invited through CARP+ project under the
leadership of Prof. A. Kibe to attend and gain knowledge in seed potato production and
overall value chain in Kenya. This knowledge was to help them to develop quality
concept notes for their research projects.
2.0. Exhibitors
Different stakeholders had erected their stands, therefore the students were free to visit
any of the stands to learn and interact with the stakeholders. As discussed below, there
was a lot for the students to learn during the field day.
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Figure 2: LamechAmwine (MCF student) viewing potato seeds varieties
2.1. National Potato Council of Kenya
National Potato Council of Kenya(NPCK) which is a public-private partnership and a
multi stakeholder organization whose responsibility is to help plan, organize and co-
ordinate potato value chain activities and develop the subsector into a robust,
competitive and self-regulatory industry. It draws its synergies from a wide membership
representing all stakeholders and actors in the industry who include: Farmers,
Researchers, Public institutions, Extension providers, seed producers, Traders,
Processors, Regulatory agencies, financial service providers, input providers, Ministry of
Agriculture and other actors and players. They provided information about the various
activities they carry out to promote potato production and value chain.
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Figure 3: GeofreyNgeno viewing potato varieties
2.2. Kenya Agricultural Research and Livestock Organization (KARLO)
Kenya agricultural research and livestock organization (KARLO) an organization aimed at
“generation and promotion of value chains responsive potato technologies for
sustainable livelihoods.” It specializes in seed production and works in partnership with
Syngenta to upscale seed production. There were four varieties of potatoes which were
displayed by KALRO. Sherekea is a variety which matures between 3.5-4 months and its
total yield is 40 to 45 tons per hectare, it is mainly used for boiling, roasting, crisping
and stewing. It has round tubers, red skin and medium depth eyes. Shangi is another
variety which has oval tubers and a cream skin. It also has white flesh and medium deep
eye with pigmentation. It matures after 3months and yields 35 to 40 tons per hectare,
the variety is used for French flies, crisps, roasting, stewing, boiling and mashing. The
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third variety is Dutch Robijn. It is round in shape, pale yellow in color and has a very
good storage capacity. The variety matures after 3.5 months and yields 30tons per
hectare, and this variety is mainly used for crisps. Lastly, Kenya Karibu which is round in
shape, has medium eyes, deep red skin and is resistant to most of potato viruses. This
variety is also of well sprouted tubers.
2.3. Ministry of Agriculture
The students also had the opportunity to visit the stand of ministry of agriculture
(Kuresoi North sub-county) where Mr. Julius Mwangi explained about the new pests in
potatoes and maize. Fall armyworm and potato cyst nematode are the recently
identified pests in Kenya. Mwangi emphasized on identification methods of the maize
fall armyworm and potato cyst nematode. He urged farmers to be doing frequent field
inspection to look for any damages as well as presence of any pest. Fall armyworm
undergoes four stages in its life cycle; egg- larva- pupa – adult. It belongs to moth
family and causes serious damage on leaves, silk as well as the maize tassels.Potato cyst
nematode stays in the soil and damages the roots of potato hence affecting
productivity. The main control of these pests is to plant certified seeds that have high
resistance to pest attack and diseases. They displayed different food products such as
beetroot wine, carrot jam, cow peas, pepino juice, green grams, pepino melon, and
fermented vegetable juice among others. All the products displayed at this stand were
therapeutic and had great nutrient value which is good for health. On this stand, the
students were also asked to register before they could proceed to the other stands.
Ministry of agriculture, Kuresoi North sub-county demonstrated current pests in the
region as well as their remedies.
2.4 Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service
Kenya plant health inspectorate service (KEPHIS), whose major role is to certify seeds
and provide phytosanitary services. Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service exhibited
varieties of crop produces such as potato, bean, wheat, maize. The varieties of potato
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displayed were Kenya Karibu, Tigoni, Shangi, Asante, Kenya Mpya, Sherekea, Dutch
robjin, Mayan Gold, Unica. In the NPCK stand, Mr. Maina issued farmers with potato
variety catalogue 2017. He further explained that Kenya had only 12 potato varieties for
many years until 2012. In 2013, Kenya through KEPHIS and other stakeholders
collaborated with Netherlands and introduced over 52 potato varieties.
2.5 Egerton University
Egerton University, a premier agricultural institution of higher learning based Nakuru
County, Kenya was also represented by the Research and Extension Division. TAGDev
program and CARP+ project materials such as sponsored programmes and
qualifications were also displayed at the Egerton University stand. The university
displayed some of the services offered by the institution. These services include
academic programmes both undergraduate and graduate, research work. One notable
research output was the bean seed variety famously known aschelalangwhich was
developed by the Agro Science Park. The variety is grown 3000-5000m above sea level.
It does well in areas such as Baringo, Bomet, Kericho, Nyadarua, Meru, Kiambu,
Machakos, and Nyeri among others. It matures in 80-100 days after planting, and
resistant to leaf spot diseases.The seed rate is 25 kg per acre and can be intercropped
with other crops especially legumes and maize.
2.6 Agricultural Development Corporation
Agricultural Development Corporation, a government parastatal charged with the duty
to develop the agricultural sector displayed the varieties of potato such as Shangi,
Sherekea, Dutch robijn, Unica, Musica, Ambition, Desiree, Karibu. Some of these varieties
are used for chips, crisps, mashing and boiling. The maturity period of these crops are
between three to six months with high yielding potential.
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Figure 4: MCF students viewing some of the displays at the TAGDev stand
2.7. Other Exhibitors
Kisima which is a private company plays a major role in breeding as well as well
multiplication of seed potato. They displayed a wide range of potato varieties which
help in seed multiplication. Mrs. Munene explained to farmers suitable uses of different
varieties. She said UNICA, Dutch Robin, Challenger and Voyager are suitable for making
chips while Saggita and Taurus are best for crisps. Mrs. Munene pointed out that
Arcostic variety has high resistance to nematodes.
Bayer East Africa an agrochemical companydisplayed their different products which are
used in potato production. Infinito is one of their best products used to control early
and late blight in potatoes. Syngenta displayed their Ridomil product that controls
Downey mildew in potatoes while YARAMila represented the agrochemical companies
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who offer crop protection solutions They also displayed potato fertilizer, which has
different formulations making it suitable during planting, tuber initiation as well as
flowering and bulking.
Suera limited and Gen Biotech limited plays a major role in breeding as well as well
multiplication of seed potato. Irrigation acceleration platform (IAP), Greenserve
Agrisolutions and G-North & Son represented value chain actors who provide
sustainable solution to water needs.
Faida Seeds a private company specialized in production and supply of seeds, animal
feeds among other products displayed maize seed called KH 500-31A and maize seed
that were developed by Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI). It has been tried
successfully in Nakuru, Kakamega, Thika, Nyeri, Kiambu and Machakos among others. It
matures in 120-150 days and drought resistant.
3.0 Homilies during the field day
After the visit to the different stands, the field day was official opened by a
representative from the Ministry of Agriculture who was representing Dr. Willy Bett, the
Chief Guest. The event officially kicked off at around 1330HRS with opening remarks and
speeches by guests but before this there was a commemorative tree planting by the
chief guests. To begin the opening remarks were given by the county administrative
officers including the area Member of County Assembly who welcomed all the guests.
This was followed by entertainment given by women from the area with a kikuyu song
which was in line with the day’s theme; encouraging people to plant potatoes for the
children to learn, Sirikwa secondary school students also entertained the guests with a
Kalenjin folk song.
On the speeches, the Managing Director, ADC started by giving a brief history of the
organization; it was established in 1969 by a white settler. It is located on a 66 ha land,
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and has others farms in Mau Narok. Further, he added that the organization established
a cold storage facility 1979 which has a capacity of storing 3000 tonnes of potatoes this
was supported by the Netherlands Seed Potato Development Project.The Managing
Director also noted that there has been a decrease in availability of land for agriculture
and recently the organization had established Green Houses for seed potatoes to
encourage fast multiplication and ensure improved productivity and quality over small
scale.
The Managing Director KEPHIS Dr. Esther Kimani, in her speech encouraged farmers to
use certified potato seeds. The guest of honor insisted on the need for increased potato
production since it is crucial for ensuring food security in the country. He also
encouraged the use of certified seeds and the need for farmers to try new varieties that
are released since these varieties will remain varieties unless they are used.
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4.0 Student testimonials
The MCF students appreciated the visit to the field work. Here are some of their
sentiments
“The field day has opened my eyes on the great potential the potato has in ensuring our
country is food secure” Mary Nganga- Bsc. Agriculture student
“With this information that i have been able to gather today at this field trip I am able to
develop my research proposal with minimal challenges. Thanks for this opportunity”
John Agbolosoo Atsu- Msc. Agrienterprise student.
“The world cannot suffer from food insecurity yet we have potato which has the ability
to provide food to our population. Today’s field trip has really helped to understand that
indeed the potato crop is a sleeping giant”.Judith Cheruiyot– Msc. Community Studies
and Extension student.
5.0 Conclusion
The field day was indeed useful to the students and farmers in general. Apart from
gaining knowledge they had the opportunity to interact and network with potential
employers in the agricultural sector. The new potato varieties can meet Kenyan market
demand if well embraced. Youths have the potential to set potato enterprises in rural
and urban centers hence contributing to growth of the sector. One percent of potato
farmers use certified seeds with Shangi variety dominating the market. Therefore, I
would recommend for more field days as well as extension services to enlighten farmers
on importance of using certified seeds and introduce more varieties.
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ANNEX 1: Attendance Sheet
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