Evaluation, choice and use of potato varieties in Kenya

This paper describes the role of the potato in the Kenyan food system, the distribution of potato varieties, and the process farmers use to evaluate and choose them. The Kikuyu and Meru tribal groups are the main potato producers and grow numerous varieties - both "official" and "local." The most popular local variety, Nyayo, is grown by 53% of farmers, but is not included in the official seed program. In fact, certified seed is used by less than 5% of all farmers; this is because of its high cost and inadequate distribution system, as well as the lack of certified seed for preferred varieties and farmers" lack of information about the seed program. Farmers use a number of objective and subjective criteria for choosing among varieties. While they may evaluate a particular variety as having agronomic merit, other considerations such as trader preference or the availability of seed can dissuade them from cultivating it. Except in Meru district, most farmers continue planting their own seed or that obtained from neighbors until the seed begins to degenerate. When production levels fall, farmers generally use new varieties to recover former yield levels instead of renovating seed. Meru district, however, is quite distinct from other production areas because of the stability of a single variety (Kerr"s Pink), the higher level of farmer expertise in husbandry and marketing, and the greater degree of commercialization.