Kenya’s Potato Revolution: Record Yields Without Fungicides.
Introduction
In the spring of 2024, a groundbreaking field trial in Limuru, Kenya, showcased the remarkable potential of Solynta’s hybrid potato varieties. These innovative potatoes demonstrated exceptional resistance to late blight and produced record yields without the need for fungicides, marking a significant advancement for Kenyan farmers and the potato industry at large.
The Trial
The trial compared three of Solynta’s hybrid potato varieties, all featuring double-stack resistances against late blight, with Kenya’s popular “Shangi” variety. Using G1 seed tubers from the previous season, produced from Solynta’s disease-free true potato seeds, the trial revealed striking differences in performance:
- Late blight appeared in the field after 3 weeks
- Non-sprayed Shangi plants quickly succumbed to the disease
- Solynta’s non-GMO hybrid varieties showed remarkable resilience
- Solynta varieties yielded over double the average Kenyan potato yield of 10 metric tons per hectare
Impressive Results
The trial results were nothing short of extraordinary:
- SOLHY016 and SOLHY017, Solynta’s advanced experimental hybrids, produced twice the yield of Shangi under no-spray conditions
- SOLHY016 yielded an impressive 38.9 metric tons per hectare, nearly four times that of Shangi
- SOLHY017 closely followed with a yield of 38.6 metric tons per hectare
- All Solynta hybrid varieties yielded more than double the average Kenyan potato yield
Expert Opinions
“These outstanding results confirm that making quality starting material available to Kenyan potato growers will empower them to produce sufficient potatoes, with limited or NO need for fungicides.”- Charles Miller, Director of Strategic Alliances and Development at Solynta
“The results this season speak for themselves—smallholder farmers can now achieve more with less. Solynta’s hybrid potatoes offer an opportunity for farmers to increase yields, reduce input costs, and improve food security.” – Gerald Mutua, Director at CropCare Technologies in Kenya
Performance Under Fungicide Treatment
Interestingly, Solynta’s varieties also excelled when treated with fungicide, despite not requiring it to combat late blight:
- Yields were over 4 times the average standard yield in Kenya under fully managed and sprayed conditions
- This demonstrates the versatility of Solynta’s hybrid technology, suitable for various farming practices and environments
Implications for Kenyan Agriculture
The success of Solynta’s hybrid potato varieties in Kenya represents a significant leap forward for the country’s agricultural sector:
- Addresses challenges of limited access to high-quality planting material
- Combats the devastating effects of Late Blight disease
- Empowers farmers to increase yields and reduce input costs
- Enhances food security and supports sustainable agriculture practices
Future Prospects
With the recent registration of three Solynta hybrid potato varieties in Kenya, the future looks promising:
- These varieties are now available to Kenyan growers
- They offer a solution to seed tuber shortages and quality issues
- Solynta aims to expand its hybrid true potato seed varieties to more African countries and worldwide
Summary
Solynta’s hybrid potato varieties represent a revolutionary advancement in potato cultivation, particularly for smallholder farmers in Kenya. By combining high yields with strong disease resistance and reduced need for fungicides, these varieties promise to transform potato farming, enhance food security, and contribute to more sustainable agricultural practices in Kenya and beyond.
