Few investors in the potato industry are optimistic about near-term opportunities, as imported products continue to undermine locally produced alternatives.

But Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary (CS) Sen. Mutahi Kagwe appears to be shifting the narrative. Speaking at the opening of the 13th World Potato Congress, he revealed that it is time to cut imported potato products, expand local processing, and turn idle public land into productive agricultural enterprises.

The potato congress, running from 26 to 30 October, in Naivasha, is expected to showcase Kenya’s agricultural potential to secure partnerships in research, seed production, mechanisation, storage, and processing.

CS Kagwe urged delegates to ensure the gathering delivers practical benefits to farmers, placing their incomes, productivity and access to markets at the centre of the discussions.

“A food secure, healthier, prosperous farmer is also, in my considered view, a prerequisite for a safer, stable and productive society,” CS Kagwe said.

During those discussions, CS Kagwe cited local supply meeting 40% of the market against 60% supplied through imports, identifying the gap as an investment opportunity for Kenyan farmers and processors.

“This is an opportunity to substitute imports,” CS Kagwe said at the preparatory meeting.

He called for investment that connects farmers to processors, hotels, restaurants and fast-food businesses, allowing Kenya to retain more earnings, create jobs and build its capacity to export quality potato products.

At the congress opening, CS Kagwe highlighted the Land Commercialization Initiative, through which the government is leasing idle public land to private investors on a long-term basis for agricultural production.

Agriculture and Livestock CS Sen. Mutahi Kagwe speaking at the opening of the 13th World Potato Congress.

He invited investors to partner with Kenya in unlocking the land’s productive potential, linking commercial farming to irrigation, technology, value addition and reliable markets.

CS Kagwe also outlined the government’s wider irrigation ambition, including the development of 50 mega dams, 200 medium-sized dams and 1,000 water pans and reservoirs to reduce dependence on unpredictable rainfall.

Potato, he noted, is Kenya’s second most important food and cash crop, supporting livelihoods across farming, transport, trade, processing and food services.

Citing the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics’ National Agriculture Production Report 2025, CS Kagwe said Kenya produced approximately 2.2M tonnes of potatoes in 2024, valued at KSh 72.5B.

This was a decline from approximately 2.3M tonnes in 2023, partly attributed to failed short rains and excessive long rains that contributed to fungal diseases, including potato blight.

To address these challenges, CS Kagwe outlined interventions targeting quality seed, disease management, climate-smart production and reduced post-harvest losses.

He highlighted research by the KALRO, and the International Potato Center to develop a late blight-resistant biotech potato using the popular Shangi variety.

CS Kagwe said the variety, developed by introducing three resistance genes into Shangi, had demonstrated complete resistance to late blight in field trials, pointing to the potential to reduce fungicide spraying against the disease.

He also cited Clone IG-70, a drought- and blight-tolerant potato variety developed through KALRO’s Potato Research Centre in Tigoni, which he said was progressing towards final verification.

The CS pointed to the KALRO Marindas Potato Sub-Centre in Kuresoi North, Nakuru County, commissioned three months earlier to support access to certified seed and training in modern farming technologies.

Cuttings technology

The Ministry is also expanding Rooted Apical Cuttings technology through partnerships involving ASARECA, FIPs-Africa, Egerton University and the National Potato Council. Initiative will support multiplication of planting material for varieties including Shangi, Unica and Wanjiku to help smallholder farmers overcome quality seed shortages.

Through the Kenya Sustainable Potato Initiative, partnerships with Egerton University and the National Potato Council of Kenya are targeting 150,000 potato farmers with support to improve productivity, quality and climate-smart farming.

CS Kagwe emphasised that these investments must be protected through rigorous inspection, certification and action against uncertified or counterfeit seed.

He highlighted the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service – Kephis role in testing and releasing varieties, certifying planting material and strengthening surveillance against diseases and pests.

Diversifying potato varieties, he said, would also help farmers meet the specific requirements of chips and crisps processors, strengthening opportunities for local manufacturing.

CS Kagwe further highlighted cold chain infrastructure developed in 12 counties over the past four years to improve storage, reduce losses, support local value addition and strengthen routes to market.

During last week’s preparatory meeting, he expressed readiness to engage the National Treasury on proposals to zero-rate potato-processing machinery, asking industry players to submit specific requests identifying equipment and interventions needed to unlock investment.

He also encouraged farmers to form cooperatives and associations to improve access to machinery, shared facilities and government support.

Other proposals raised during the preparations included strengthening practical potato training through the Kenya School of Agriculture and establishing a dedicated potato component within the Kenya Agricultural Data and Information Centre, KADIC, to support planning and innovation.

The congress, held under the theme “Global Potato Partnership for Enhanced Food Systems, Nutrition Security, and Trade,” is expected to connect farmers with researchers, technology providers, seed suppliers and potential business partners.