Potatoes have traditionally been grown from tubers, especially in regions like Africa and Kenya. However, recent advancements in agricultural technology have introduced a new method of potato cultivation: growing potatoes from hybrid true seeds, as opposed to the conventional tubers. This breakthrough, brought about by Solynta, a hybrid potato seed company from the Netherlands, promises to revolutionize potato farming in Kenya, particularly in counties like Nyandarua, which are major producers of potatoes.
Solynta has developed a non-GMO hybrid potato seed technology through selective cross-pollination of male and female potato flowers. This method generates offspring with predictable characteristics, such as disease resistance and climate resilience, enabling farmers to achieve higher and more stable yields while using fewer pesticides and land. Trials for these hybrid potato seeds have already been conducted in Nyandarua and Molo with promising results.
The key difference between these hybrid seeds and traditional tubers lies in their form and benefits. While tubers are bulky, perishable, and require significant transport costs to distribute, hybrid potato seeds are small, easily stored, and have a much longer shelf life. This makes them a more cost-effective and efficient option for farmers. Unlike tubers, which must be sourced and transported at the right time for planting, these seeds can be stored for up to three years, offering greater flexibility to farmers. This significantly reduces the risk and cost of sourcing planting material.
In addition to their logistical advantages, hybrid potato seeds offer a variety of benefits over traditional tubers. Solynta’s hybrid potatoes, such as the SOLHY 7, SOLHY 12, and SOLHY 15 varieties, were recently approved by the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and released into the market. These varieties have been specifically bred to resist diseases like late blight, a persistent threat to potato crops in Kenya and globally. With late blight being a major challenge for potato farmers, especially in organic farming, Solynta’s hybrid potatoes offer a solution. These varieties reduce the need for frequent pesticide application, potentially lowering farmers’ input costs while improving yield stability.
Moreover, Solynta’s hybrid potato seeds address the challenges faced by potato growers in Africa, particularly the lack of access to high-quality seed tubers. Traditional tubers are prone to short shelf lives and require cold storage, which is not readily available in many African regions. With hybrid seeds, farmers can access a reliable, easily stored alternative that can be purchased at local agrovet shops, ensuring they are ready to plant when the season arrives.
While Solynta’s seeds present clear advantages in terms of cost and storage, they also help address the impacts of climate change on potato farming. Changes in weather patterns, including altered rainfall seasons and rising temperatures, have affected potato yields in Kenya. Solynta’s hybrid breeding platform allows the development of varieties that are more adaptable to warmer, drier climates, offering a crucial solution to farmers struggling with changing weather conditions.
In terms of farm management, good practices such as crop rotation, land management, and careful use of irrigation are essential to maintaining healthy soil and stable yields. Solynta emphasizes the importance of sustainable farming practices to ensure long-term agricultural productivity.
The introduction of these hybrid potato seeds also provides an opportunity to attract young people into the agricultural sector. With increasing awareness of the importance of quality food production, there is growing interest in sustainable farming practices. Solynta believes that the shift towards seed-based potato cultivation can play a significant role in making agriculture more attractive to younger generations, both in Kenya and globally.
Looking ahead, the future of the potato sector seems poised for transformation. With a shift from tuber-based to seed-based cultivation, the sector is expected to become more sustainable and resilient to challenges like climate change, disease, and logistical inefficiencies. This transition could have a profound impact on potato production, benefiting farmers and consumers alike by improving food security and ensuring a more stable potato supply.
