Potato seeds imported at Sh700m

Four new varieties of potato seeds have been imported and will be supplied to farmers in the region.

Governor Daniel Waithaka says a consignment of some 700 bags of the potato seeds were imported from The Netherlands at a cost of Sh7 million shillings.

Yesterday, Mr Waithaka launched the varieties at Ol Kalou town, a move he said is meant to improve potato production in the area.

The varieties are Rudolf, Destiny, Markies and Toluca, which mature early and are ideal for chips and crisps.

Waithaka said the seeds would be distributed to farmers' groups in all the 15 wards.

Generate income

He said a second distribution exercise would be conducted in October after the seeds multiply.

"We want to double the potato production in Nyandarua since this is one of the crops that do well in the area. The seeds will be given to farmers' groups in all the wards and, afterwards, they will be able to sell to us in future," he said.

The governor said if the move succeeds, it will fetch over Sh30 million for the farmers per month.

"We want to uplift the livelihoods of our people through generating income for farmers. That is why we are providing subsidised seeds to them," he said.

He said he regretted that the recent move to have the produce sold in 50kg bags had hit a snag since a section of residents moved to court to block it.