b'WORLD POTATO CONGRESSMechanization Impacts Potato Production in Kenya AS KENYA CONTINUES to expand its potato program, challenges are still abundant. The use of national certified seed currently covers less than five per cent of the acreagea key impediment to growth in the sector. The International Potato Center (CIP) estimates bacterial wilt spreading through poor seed can result in 30 per cent losses in yield. In addition, climate changeerratic rains and degenerated soil in the key potato growing agro-ecological zonesleads to ELLENsignificant fluctuations in access to ware potatoes.KOUWENBERG, executive directorHowever, emerging technology in seed multiplication, of the Worldfocus on sound soil and water management, optimal Potato Congress fertilizer use, varietal selection for pest and disease tolerance, and improved post-harvest handling measures are important factors to increase and stabilize potatoA display by Standen, a potato machinery company, at productivity. To meet the demand for high quality seedFarmers Field Day.PHOTO: FRESHCROP LTD.potatoes, a large-scale production by farmers is needed to meet the quality demanded by government and seedmechanization to expand production without eliminating buyers. Mechanization is an important necessity to maketheir labour forceinstead they re-purposed roles. this possible. Previously planting 1.2 ha per day with 60 labourers, An example of successful use of mechanization inFreshCrop is now able to plant 10 ha per day with 20 Kenya is FreshCrop Ltd. FreshCrop, a seed potatolabourers. Grimmes ridger resulted in roughly a 10 per company in Kenya managed by CEO Christophercent increase in production, as proper ridging allows for Gasperi, adds value along the potato chain by includingmoisture retention and increased tuber initiation and adoption of apical root cuttings to rapidly multiply high- growth. grade potato seeds.Previously manually harvesting a maximum of two Support from the World Potato Congress (WPC)hectares per day with 75 labourers expanded to eight and the Irish Governments official development aidhectares per day with 15 labourers. Mechanization programme allowed representatives from FreshCrop toincreased in potatoes lifted out of the ground by five to attend WPC in Dublin in 2022. This resulted in successful10 per cent, lowered costs, and decreased post-harvest networking for both FreshCrop and WPC sustaininglosses with 20 per cent fewer damaged potatoes compared partners and trade show participants. Following theto manual harvest. Mechanized sorting improved time Congress, FreshCrop expanded existing practices withefficiencies resulting in a cost savings of 40 per cent.help of a matching grant from CRAFT/SNV and financingFreshCrop uses the Train the Trainer (ToT) model, from local banks. Conversations with potato equipmentproviding climate smart potato production training to manufacturer Grimme at WPC Dublin resulted in thea network of 6,000 plus farmers. FreshCrop also hosts purchase of a ridger to incorporate mechanical weedinginternational visitors interested in certified seed and and larger ridge formation into their potato production.potato production from countries including Cameroon, This resulted in an increase in marketable yields. Standen,Morocco, Germany, Egypt, Abu Dhabi, Yemen, and a potato machinery company, introduced FreshCropComoros. Large field days bring together over 40 to a potato harvester that has dirt and debris removalstakeholders and this year was attended by 5,000 farmers.mechanisms and was to load directly into bulkwagons.Registration is now open for the 12th WPC happening In addition, equipment manufacturer Dewulfs dealerin Adelaide, Australia in June 2024, and the WPC in Africa and FreshCrop continue to explore additionallooks forward to providing the opportunity for global equipment options for Kenyans. In-person conversationscollaboration and future success stories from this event.at WPC were invaluable to building the FreshCrop potatoSpecial thanks to the following contributors to program from 20 hectares of certified seed annually inthis story: Christopher Gasperi and Ashley Gasperi 2021 to almost 500 ha in 2023.of FreshCrop, Shadrack Nyawade with CIP, Oscar Respecting the social context of the community,Nzoka, Climate Resilient Agribusiness for Tomorrow, FreshCrop used a step-wise approach of introducingNetherlands Development Organization and Irish Aid.SPUDSMART.COMFall 202349'