Crop Trust 10d ago

Potatoes are Kenya’s second most important food crop, supporting around 800,000 smallholder farmers and a value chain worth roughly 400 million USD. But their impact goes far beyond the farm, shaping livelihoods across transport, seed production and food vending. Fried potatoes are one of the world’s most popular foods, yet for vendors in Kenya, success depends on one key factor: the type of potato used. Farmers need high yields and disease resistance, traders prioritize size and storability, and vendors require varieties that fry well and deliver the perfect taste and texture. Through the BOLD Project, the Crop Trust and the International Potato Center are working to develop potato varieties that perform across the entire value chain, from field to market to plate. The next successful potato in Kenya will not only grow well but also sell well, meeting the needs of farmers, traders and consumers alike.