Innovations and Quality Seed Potato Multiplication in the Central Kenya Highlands

Aim: Potato is an important food crop in Kenya. Land for seed potato multiplication was allocated at Tigoni, but the volume produced declined due to land grabbing. To overcome this constraint partnerships were forged among various actors. The objective of the study was to unravel the link between partnerships and the history of land tenure in Kenya. Methods: Data was collected through qualitative methods. These included 25 key informant interviews, 9 focus group interviews and observations. This was complemented with secondary sources that included journal articles, books and reports. The qualitative data was transcribed, coded and analysed through ATLAS.ti 23 computer software. Results: The study found that collaborations with smallholder farmer groups did not provide quality seed potato due to inadequate land for crop rotation resulting in disease infestations. The study concluded that R&D partnerships did not deliver a reliable volume of quality seed as predicted, because they failed to address contextual constraints related to historical land shortages. Recommendation: The study recommended a government policy that ensures that all the grabbed land meant for research and seed multiplication was reverted to KALRO Tigoni to guarantee adequate potato seed multiplication.