The Kenyan potato crop could reach 2.5 million tons by 2021, up from an estimated 2 million tons in 2020, industry officials said.
Wachira Kaguongo, director of the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK), has stated that both yields and demand were hit by the fallout from the pandemic last year.
Kaguongo said most of the country’s potatoes are grown under rainy conditions, leading to greater crop vulnerability. He called on growers to prioritize the crop, which is very lucrative as it can be harvested twice a year.
He stressed that Kenya has the potential to significantly increase total potato production, but that the country faces many challenges. According to the NPCK, potato is the second staple crop after maize and plays an important role in food security by promoting more variety in the Kenyan diet.
Source: africa.cgtn.com
