Seed Quality and Variety Preferences Amongst Potato Farmers in North-Western Kenya: Lessons for the Adoption of New Varieties

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important commercialised food crop in Kenya. Recently, Kenya has realised a huge increase in the number of formally released potato varieties. The performance of these varieties is not clear and their adoption across various growing environments is low. This study explored how availability, access, quality and systems of seed and storability and market demand of potatoes influence farmers’ decisions on choice of varieties they grow and how they select seed for planting in the different seasons. Focus group discussions (83 farmers) and a household survey (225 farmers) were conducted in three major potato growing areas (Lelan, Saboti and Kaptama) in north-western Kenya. Results showed that farmers mainly used farm-saved seed and only 4.9% had used certified seed, while 71% indicated that certified seed was not available locally. Almost all farmers ensured they used healthy seed by visually examining the seed tubers while most farmers also examined the health of the crop in the field before harvest. Farmers renewed their seed depending on the number of cycles used, infection, decline in yield and availability of clean seed. Seed was usually renewed for up to after 5 years of recycling, and generally involved the varieties Shangi, Kabale and Arka. Farmers ranked five variety traits: tuber yield, disease resistance, market demand, early maturity and storability as most important in the choice of a variety. Farmers understood the importance of dormancy and had methods for managing dormancy, but their knowledge was biased to the few varieties they had, particularly Shangi, the predominant variety in the market. Despite agronomic attributes, market demand featured as a primary determinant of variety choice amongst farmers. The findings from this paper can guide use of seed, adoption of new varieties and future breeding of potato varieties for Kenya.