German organisation embarks on training to boost potato production

German aid organization (GIZ) has embarked on a training program to boost potato farming in areas where climatic conditions favour the crop in Nyandarua and Bungoma Counties.

Potato is Kenya’s second staple crop after maize currently beset by climatic and disease problems. The training incorporates the tuber’s nutritional values usually mistakenly confined to starch.

The auspicious program kicked off on Monday with the training of ward agricultural officer popularly known as frontline extension workers on facilitation skills based on farmer, field and business schools methodology.

21 ward agricultural officers are set to benefit from the inaugural 10 day training at the Kenya Agricultural and livestock Research Organization (KALRO) potato research centre in Tigoni, Limuru. 12 facilitators with requisite expertise on potato farming and marketing are on hand for the purpose.

On the menu for the extension officers are refresher lessons on good agronomic practices on potato production.  They will in turn train farmers in their areas by setting up plots that will serve as schools offering training based on a grow5th cycle.

The goal is to have farmers increase their potato production per unit area under the crop plus whetting their marketing and management abilities.

 Six of the trainees are drawn from Mount Elgon Sub County of Bungoma County and the remaining 15 are from Ol Joro Orok, Ndaragwa and Kipipiri Sub Counties of Nyandarua County.