For many years, potato farming has been a primary source of livelihood for the residents of Narok North Sub-County in Kenya. Unfortunately, these farmers have faced challenges such as exploitation by brokers and middlemen, leading to meager harvests of around 50 bags per acre, significantly below the potential yield of up to 200 bags per acre achievable with proper agricultural practices. The absence of adequate storage facilities has further compounded the difficulties faced by farmers in the region.
In the midst of despair, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of the Lanyuak Farmers Cooperative Society. Established in 2013 by farmers in the Enabelbel area of Olorropi Ward, Lanyuak transcended being just a cooperative to become a symbol of unity and collective effort.
Driven by a shared determination to take control of their future, the farmers united under the leadership of Joseph Ngugi, the resolute chairperson of Lanyuak. Refusing to be disheartened, they persevered even when faced with challenges.
The pivotal moment arrived in 2019 when the Narok Potato Farmers Improvement Project (NARIGP) extended crucial support to the struggling cooperative society. With an injection of Sh1 million in funding, NARIGP empowered Lanyuak to expand its membership and enhance training opportunities. The response was nothing short of miraculous as the cooperative grew from 17 members to an impressive 1,560, representing 56 common interest groups.
With strengthened numbers, Lanyuak broadened its reach to four sub-counties, ushering in a new era of growth and prosperity. The cooperative’s potato yields surged from 70 bags per acre to a remarkable 160 bags, bringing them closer to their target of 200 bags per acre.
Beyond increased harvests, the true success of Lanyuak Cooperative Society was evident in the tangible improvements to its members’ incomes. Through enhanced packaging and access to fair market prices, farmers began to enjoy the fruits of their labor, generating surplus income for education, sustenance, and future investments.
Notably, Lanyuak Co-op Society secured a partnership with Simplifine Foods Company, a supplier of the Markies variety of potatoes to multinational fast-food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). This strategic alliance eliminated the influence of brokers in the supply chain. Since May 2023, Lanyuak has been supplying Simplifine with 395 tonnes of potatoes annually, marking a significant milestone in their journey towards prosperity and self-sufficiency in Kenya.
