Potato farmers, who are the key players in the potato value chain “The Potato Consortium”, will today witness the harvesting of potatoes in the first demonstration farm in Kieni sub county, Nyeri county.
The consortium, led by Co-operative Bank and the County Government of Nyeri alongside other consortium partners Yara E.A, Bayer E.A and Agrico PSA, will see the buyer of the produce, Simplifine Limited witness the demonstration and commit to buying it directly from the farmers and not through any middleman.
The event will see project assumptions, projections on yield per unit area as per the prescribed nutrition, protection and crop husbandry process be put to test.
The Potato Consortium creates a platform where every partner brings on board their domain expertise to support farmers venture into profitable and sustainable potato farming.
The partners seek to increase high yielding potato varieties that are in demand by fast food processors such as KFC, ensure quality inputs are availed at the right time and at an affordable price, agronomy support through extension service embedded within the County Government set-up i.e. uses of Ward Agricultural Officers and Co-operative officers, availability of market driven production where the farmers plant varieties that processors require, predictable yields based on prescribed package of crop nutrition and protection regime supported by established demonstration farms managed by the consortium partners which offer training and act as centres of excellence.
It will also provide Capacity-building to potato co-operatives by Co-op Bank through Co-op Consultancy Services, affordable financing from Co-op Bank and digitization of the farmers.
By Vostine Ratemo
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