Kenya has a vibrant potato industry whose growth is constrained by lack of quality seed potato. Imports of seed potato are necessary to complement local production and to meet demand for processing varieties. This industry diagnostic analyzes Kenya’s seed potato value chain; recommending priority investments and policy actions to bridge the annual seed availability gap of 300,000 tons. These priorities include: adopting a risk-based seed importation policy by the regulator; accelerating production of seed from apical cuttings; outsourcing foundation seed production to the private sector; promoting private seed testing and inspection services; and enhancing scaling agritech innovations for seed distribution to ensure last-mile access for more than 800,000 potato growers. The Kenya seed potato industry diagnostic lays the foundation for IFC’s initiatives and investments in streamlining Kenya’s potato industry through increasing private sector investments in the seed potato value chain.
