Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service grants approval for Solynta’s innovative hybrid true potato seeds, set to enhance local potato production and supply chains.
The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) has recently approved three of Solynta’s hybrid true potato seed varieties for commercial release in Kenya. This significant development is expected to expand the availability of reliable and resilient potato varieties across the country, addressing key challenges faced by local potato growers.
The approved varieties—SOLHY007, SOLHY012, and SOLHY015—represent the first commercially available hybrid true potato seeds from Solynta. Developed through advanced non-GMO hybrid breeding technology in the Netherlands, these varieties are designed to offer superior performance and resilience. Notably, one of the varieties includes multiple resistance genes to late blight, a prevalent and damaging disease in potato cultivation.
Solynta’s true potato seeds are poised to provide Kenyan farmers with a valuable solution to their longstanding challenge of accessing clean and sufficient starting material. Unlike traditional tuber planting, which requires large quantities and can be prone to disease, Solynta’s seeds are disease-free, easier to store, and more economical. With only 25 grams of seed, farmers can plant the equivalent area of 2,500 kilograms of tubers, significantly reducing costs and enhancing efficiency.
The company has conducted extensive field testing of these hybrid varieties across various African countries, including Kenya, Egypt, Namibia, and South Africa. This rigorous evaluation process underscores Solynta’s commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative solutions tailored to the specific needs of African farmers.
Wachira Kaguongo, Chief Executive of the National Potato Council of Kenya, expressed enthusiasm about the new seed solutions. He noted that the innovative technology addresses many of the challenges associated with traditional seed production and offers promising solutions for improving stability and growth in Kenya’s potato sector.
Peter Poortinga, CEO of Solynta, emphasized the importance of this development for Kenyan potato growers. He highlighted that the approval and distribution of these hybrid true potato seeds will support local farmers in stabilizing their crop yields and expanding Kenya’s agricultural trade footprint. Poortinga expressed optimism about the potential of these new varieties to contribute positively to Kenya’s agricultural landscape and food security.
With the new seed varieties set to become available ahead of the next growing season, the introduction of Solynta’s hybrid true potatoes is anticipated to bring significant benefits to Kenya’s potato industry, from enhancing production efficiency to supporting economic growth in the agricultural sector.
