Kenya: Mechanization is the surest way of improving potato yield

Mechanization can improve cultivation and reduce harvest losses which can amount to up to 50 per cent of the crop.

According to Fergus Robley, the General Manager of FMD East Africa, mechanization of potato farming can help Kenyan farmers produce up to five times what they produce today. This would improve the livelihood of the farmers, help the country achieve food security and reduce reliance on maize.

Fergus Robley explained, “The average potato yield in Kenya is three to six tonnes per acre. Several factors contribute to this dismal performance including substandard potato seeds, low level of mechanization and poor application and quality of fertilizers.”

“Potato output can be increased to 20 to 30 tonnes per acre by addressing these factors. The selection of the seed potato is very important, but in Kenya it is given little attention. Our farmers usually sell the largest potatoes for cash, eat the medium-sized ones at home, and keep the smallest as future planting material. Poor seed delivers a poor harvest.”

“Mechanization is the surest way of improving yield. Farmers who have embraced mechanized agriculture and use high quality seeds as well as appropriate fertilizers are assured of increased production. They are also guaranteed lower production costs giving higher profits.”

The greatest loss of crop is experienced during harvesting. In Kenya up to 60 per cent of the crop can be damaged when the process is done manually. Using a potato harvester reduces this loss to near zero because it runs at a certain depth just below the crop picking the potatoes and soil onto specially coated rollers and chains, which don’t damage the potato.

Fergus Robley added that mechanization has to go hand in hand with training of farmers especially on the right handling and maintenance of machinery. “FMD East Africa does this by delivering each piece of equipment to the farmer and training the operator. We also hold clinics every month in various parts of the country where we carry out free inspection of Massey Ferguson tractors and carry out demonstrations such as calibration of implements. We also guide farmers about embracing good farming practices so the correct and economical land preparation is done for healthy crops.”