On dynamics and stagnation in the use of varieties and improved seed of potato in Kenya

Potato has evolved into a critical food, nutrition, and income security crop for smallholder farmers in Kenya. Over the past decades, significant investments have been made in breeding, improved varieties, crop management, and seed systems to enhance productivity. Despite these efforts, national yields have remained stagnant at around 10 t/ha, far below potential. Interventions have largely focused on improving access to quality seed and preferred varieties, the introduction of rapid multiplication technologies and decentralized seed multiplication systems. However, these initiatives have not fully addressed the complex socioeconomic, institutional, and behavioral factors influencing farmers’ seed choices and sector performance. This thesis examines the Kenyan potato sector from a systems perspective, analyzing historical trends, seed production technologies, decentralized seed systems, and farmer seed selection behavior. The findings show that while technologies such as rooted apical cuttings and decentralized seed multiplication can improve access to quality seed, sustainable sector growth requires broader reforms addressing market structures, regulatory systems, pest and disease management, and farmer-centered innovation approaches.