How Kenyan scientists are fighting potato disease with biotechnology

Charity Nzilani, assistant trial manager at Kalro, on the farm. [Rosa Agutu, Standard]

One Kenyan consumes more than 40 kilograms of potatoes per year. Potatoes are Kenya's second most important food crop after maize. However, over the years this important commodity has been affected by late blight, a disease that infects leaves, stems, and potato tubers. The disease spreads quickly in fields and can result in total crop failure if untreated.

However, there could be hope for farmers. Following this unending predicament that gained “fame” during the Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s, researchers at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro) are cultivating genetically modified (GM) potatoes that can resist the disease.