Co-operative Bank of Kenya has partnered with other key players in the agricultural value chain to facilitate farmers to acquire quality farm inputs and raise production of quality potato.

The project formed the “Potato Consortium” brings together all companies that bring on board domain expertise in all matters of potatoes, to ensure the value chain right from the quality of the seed to the farmer financing and eventually to the food plate is consistent with the highest quality standards.

This is another milestone for potato farmers in the country as key players in the potato value chain “The Potato Consortium” makes a major leap towards realising ‘farm-to-plate’ value chain model in a bid to have Kenyan potatoes in the multinational food giant KFC menu.

Early last year, KFC faced a shortage of potatoes in its outlets in Kenya following delays from its overseas supplies which resulted to them offering their loyal customers with alternative foods.

Despite the fact that potatoes are easily available in the country and some regions faced over supply, the company couldn’t buy from the Kenyan farmers due to its strict quality standards.

The consortium led by Co-operative Bank and the County Government of Nyeri with other consortium partners Yara E.A, Bayer E.A and Agrico PSA witnessed the harvesting of the potatoes in the first demonstration farm in Kieni sub-county in Nyeri, whereby project assumptions, projections on yield per unit area as per the prescribed nutrition, protection and crop husbandry process are being put to test.