Assessment of potato production technologies among smallholder farmers in Marakwet West Sub-County, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya

Abstract

Potato is a major food and cash crop in the Kenyan highlands, widely grown by small-scale farmers. However, its productivity has been declining over the years in Marakwet West. Thus, this study determined factors affecting Potato production among smallholder farmers in Marakwet West Sub- County, Elgeyo Marakwet County. A survey was conducted in Moiben/ Kuserwo, Cherang’any/ Chebororwa, Lelan and Kapsowar ward in Marakwet West Sub-County. During the survey, smallholder potato farmers totaling 137,513 were targeted for the study of which a sample of 173 of them who were selected via random sampling was administered with semi-structured questionnaires. Descriptive analysis of the data collected was conducted using SPSS and Microsoft Excel. The results showed that most farmers were not trained in potato production technologies. However, those who received training on potato production technologies implemented the technology on their farms. The potato production technologies enabled the farmers to improve on their yields, economized on input usage and control of pest and disease. Safe and effective uses of pesticides were potato production technologies applied. However, the farmers did not use the certified seed of Shangi variety instead they sourced seeds from other farmers because the seeds were not available, expensive, lacked information and it was a new product to them. The certified seeds of potatoes should be produced via tissue culture technology and should be affordable and accessed by the farmers.