International Potato Day 2026: Meru Hosts Landmark Celebration as Youth, Innovation and Global Leaders Drive Sector Transformation

The International Potato Day 2026 was celebrated in a vibrant setting at Kevian Kenya in Timau, Meru County, at the foothills of Mount Kenya, where the snow-capped peaks formed a dramatic backdrop to the event. Held under the theme “Where Potatoes Grow, Livelihoods Flourish,” the celebration highlighted the deep connection between agriculture, livelihoods and rural transformation.

The event attracted over 1,500 farmers and featured 20 exhibitors drawn from across the potato value chain, showcasing innovations in seed systems, crop protection, agritech solutions, youth-led agribusiness, research, regulation, irrigation technologies and post-harvest handling. The strong participation reflected the growing commercial and technological maturity of Kenya’s potato sector.

The celebration was jointly organized by the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK), the County Government of Meru and AGRA (Sustainably Growing Africa’s Food Systems) and provided a platform to reflect on sector progress while charting a future anchored on innovation, investment and stronger market systems.

Meru County remains one of Kenya’s leading potato-producing regions, with approximately 90,000 farmers engaged in production and an estimated annual output of 200,000 metric tonnes. The county continues to play a key role in strengthening food security and supporting rural livelihoods through agriculture-driven incomes and agribusiness development.

A major highlight of the event was the attendance of the President of the World Potato Congress, Dr. Peter VanderZaag, who visited Kenya as part of preparations for the World Potato Congress 2026. He toured key potato-growing areas in Meru to assess potential sites for field visits, exhibitions and stakeholder engagements during the global event, reinforcing Kenya’s growing profile in global potato production and research.

Youth engagement stood out as a central theme, with stakeholders urging young people to view agriculture not as a traditional activity, but as a modern, profitable and technology-driven enterprise. Speakers emphasized opportunities in digital agriculture, mechanization, seed systems, logistics and value addition, positioning youth as key drivers of transformation in the sector.

The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) emphasized the importance of certified seed systems, noting that quality seed remains the foundation of productivity, disease control and profitability. Farmers were urged to source only certified seed from approved merchants to ensure higher yields and protect food security.

The event also featured exhibitions and field demonstrations showcasing climate-smart farming practices and emerging technologies reshaping potato production. Panel discussions focused on market systems, value addition and strategies for improving competitiveness across the sector.

A key milestone was the launch of the Potato Variety Catalogue, designed to help farmers access improved, high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties suited to different growing zones.

Participants were also updated on the implementation of the Irish Potato Regulations 2019, which continue to promote structured markets, transparency and fair trade. Updates were also shared on Kenya’s preparations to host the World Potato Congress 2026, a landmark global event expected to position the country as a leader in potato innovation and research.

The International Potato Center (CIP) and the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) emphasized the importance of research, innovation, and collaboration in strengthening the sector. They noted that future growth will depend on sustained investment in modern technologies, improved seed systems, mechanization and stronger farmer-market linkages.

Kenya’s potato industry remains the second most important food crop after maize, supporting over 1.3 million farmers and generating more than 3.5 million jobs across the value chain. The sector continues to serve as a backbone of rural development, food security and economic transformation.

The celebration concluded on a forward-looking note, with stakeholders emphasizing that the future of the potato sector lies in innovation, youth empowerment, strong partnerships, and structured markets. As Kenya prepares to host the World Potato Congress 2026, the country is increasingly positioning itself as a continental leader in agricultural transformation.

Ultimately, the message from Meru was clear: potatoes are more than a staple crop-they are a powerful engine for jobs, innovation, and prosperity when youth, technology, and strong systems come together.