Revolutionizing Early Generation Seed Potato in East Africa

Abstract

Poor access to healthy, high-yielding planting materials hampers potato production in East and Central Africa (ECA). The need to improve the quality and increase the quantity of seed potato available to farmers has been the basis of previous efforts in the subregion. One bottleneck in the seed value chain is the low quantity of early generation seed (EGS) for further multiplication. To break this bottleneck, the International Potato Center (CIP) and local partners introduced two rapid multiplication technologies (aeroponics and rooted apical cuttings) and an improved conventional system (sand hydroponics). These three technologies differ in terms of multiplication rates, investment costs, profitability, required skills, infrastructure, risks, and linkages to the rest of the seed value chain, with its actors, policy environment, plus supply, and demand. The three introduced technologies have helped to increase the supply of certified or high-quality seed in the region over the last decade. However, for successful scaling, the technologies have to be carefully selected based on their situation and their natural and economic environments. Central African highlands, with a high potential of improving livelihoods. The potato is also grown by women in East Africa, although female farmers often face barriers to obtaining land, capital, and seed (Mudege and Demo 2016).