Potato farming thrives in the fertile highlands of Nakuru County. However, a significant challenge persists: limited market access. Although production volumes can be substantial, consistently connecting to profitable markets remains difficult. This creates both opportunities and frustrations for smallholder farmers.
Many Nakuru farmers rely on informal market channels, often selling to brokers who dictate prices, leaving them with narrow profit margins. Research highlights the potential benefits of improved market linkages in the region. Studies show that farmers who participate in cooperatives or have direct contractual arrangements enjoy more stable prices and higher incomes. Access to structured markets encourages investment in better-quality inputs and farming practices, ultimately boosting overall productivity.
Key opportunities for improvement include:
- Strengthening farmer cooperatives
- Improving market infrastructure
- Facilitating direct linkages with buyers
- Leveraging technology for better market access
However, seizing these opportunities requires overcoming existing challenges. Building trust and capacity within farmer organizations, securing investment for infrastructure, and resolving logistical issues in connecting dispersed smallholders to larger markets are essential steps.
While Nakuru has strong potential for potato production, realizing this potential depends on effectively addressing market access barriers—transforming them from a constraint into a pathway for growth.
