NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan potato farmers could soon benefit from a new high-yielding and disease-resistant variety developed by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro).
The variety, known as 1G70, was showcased at the ongoing Nairobi International Trade Fair, with scientists describing it as a potential game-changer for the country’s potato sector.
According to Kalro, 1G70 is highly resistant to late blight and viral diseases—two of the most destructive challenges facing potato production in Kenya.
The variety also boasts a short maturity period of four months and a yield potential of 35–40 tonnes per hectare, compared to the national average of just 7–12 tonnes.
The potatoes are oval-oblong in shape, with cream-white flesh and medium-deep eyes, making them suitable for both table use and processing into chips and crisps.
“This innovation will help farmers boost productivity and reduce losses linked to disease and poor-quality seed,” said a Kalro scientist at the trade fair.
Boosting Food Security and Farmer Incomes
Data from the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK) shows that more than 800,000 smallholder farmers grow potatoes across 296,000–370,000 acres, producing 1.5 to 2 million tonnes annually.
Despite its importance as the second most consumed staple after maize, the sector continues to face low yields and high production costs, largely due to limited access to clean, certified seed and declining soil fertility.
NPCK says the introduction of improved, disease-resistant varieties such as Sherekea and now 1G70 is part of ongoing efforts to narrow the yield gap and improve farm incomes through climate-smart agricultural practices.
Policy Reforms and Market Regulation
The potato industry has also seen regulatory interventions aimed at protecting farmers and ensuring quality standards.
The Crops (Irish Potato) Regulations, 2019 introduced measures such as the registration of growers, standardised packaging capped at 50 kilograms, and strict grading and labelling requirements.
According to NPCK, these policies are intended to streamline the value chain, curb exploitation, and enhance market competitiveness.
“Potatoes contribute around Sh50 billion (US$500 million) to Kenya’s economy each year, yet the country’s yields remain far below the global average,” NPCK said, adding that innovations like 1G70 could help close that gap.
