Meanwhile the demand for ware potatoes (fresh consumption and processing) is increasing in Kenya, as a result of rapid population growth, increasing urbanization, rising incomes of a growing middle class, and increasing awareness of nutritional benefits. The certified potato seed sub-sectors in Kenya is challenged by limited supply of suitable varieties, an insufficient distribution network, insufficient seed potato production, no diversity of varieties, and high transport costs.

New varieties suitable for processing and table potatoes were introduced to compare the performance of yields of local varieties to that of the new ones. Importing the new potato varieties involved the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services (KEPHIS), which is the regulatory agency for quality control of agricultural input and produce in Kenya and coordinates all matters relating to crop pests and disease control and advises on appropriate seeds and planting materials for export and import. Samples from the three varieties imported were collected at the port before the seed was transported to Lowland farm for storage awaiting the results of analysis from KEPHIS.

The varieties introduced consisted of two varieties referred to as “Variety 1” and “Variety 3” and one variety referred to as “Variety 2”. Variety 1 and Variety 2 were the ones suitable for the processing market while Variety 3 can be used as table potato. The outcome of the field trials shows that the use of certified seed potatoes regardless of local or imported can significantly increase yields if applied together with the complete package of machinery, adapted fertilizer, and adequate crop protection measures. An important issue worth noting is the importance of the agronomic conditions where the potato seeds are planted as these conditions strongly influence yields.