Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe opened the 13th World Potato Congress in Nairobi.
Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe urges investors to expand local potato processing and lease idle public land for commercial farming.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has opened the World Potato Congress in Nairobi, urging investors to expand local processing. He also called for investment in idle public land to increase commercial agricultural production.
The 13th congress runs from October 26 to 30, drawing 1,000 delegates from 67 countries. Attendance exceeded the initial target of 600 participants from 60 countries.
It is the first edition in Sub-Saharan Africa, offering Kenya opportunities to attract agricultural investment and research partnerships. However, Kagwe urged participants to deliver practical gains for farmers through higher incomes, productivity and market access.
World Potato Congress highlights processing opportunities
Kagwe said stronger domestic production and processing could reduce Kenya’s reliance on imported potato products. During preparatory discussions the previous week, he cited estimates placing local supply at 40 per cent of the market. Imports, meanwhile, account for the remaining 60 per cent.
He encouraged investors to establish factories and connect growers with hotels, restaurants and fast-food businesses. The government also wants reliable markets for farmers and steady supplies of quality potatoes for processors.
Expanded processing could create jobs, improve earnings and help Kenya build capacity to export quality potato products.
Idle public land and irrigation plans
Kagwe also promoted the government’s Land Commercialization Initiative, which proposes long-term leases of idle public land to private investors. He invited partnerships in commercial farming, irrigation, modern technology and value addition.
The initiative aims to turn underused public assets into productive farms while attracting investment and increasing food production.
Alongside this, Kagwe outlined plans for 50 mega dams, 200 medium-sized dams and 1,000 water pans and reservoirs. The infrastructure would reduce dependence on unpredictable rainfall and help farmers cope with changing weather.
Lower harvest puts focus on seed and disease control
Kagwe described potatoes as Kenya’s second most important food and cash crop. Citing the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics National Agriculture Production Report 2025, he put 2024 output at about 2.2 million tonnes. The harvest had a value of KSh72.5 billion.
Production fell from approximately 2.3 million tonnes in 2023. Failed short rains and excessive long rains partly drove the decline, with wet conditions contributing to fungal diseases.
Meanwhile, Kagwe highlighted research by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization and the International Potato Center. He said their biotechnology potato incorporates three resistance genes into the popular Shangi variety.
According to Kagwe, field trials showed complete resistance to late blight. However, its potential use remains subject to relevant regulatory and approval requirements.
He also said drought- and blight-tolerant Clone IG-70 was approaching final verification. In addition, the KALRO Marindas Potato Sub-Centre in Kuresoi North aims to improve certified seed access and farmer training.
