Posted on August, 24, 2016 at 08:45 am
A new storage technology is set to lengthen the marketing period of potato produced in Meru County and help farmers eliminate up to 40 per cent loss in poor post-harvest handling.
The Ambient Ware Potato Store with a capacity to handle 40 tonnes has been introduced in the county by International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC), an non-government organisation (NGO) that seeks to improve food security.
The facility located in Kithithina, Buuri sub-county has been constructed using wheat straw for insulation, which is stuffed between the inner and the outer wall.
Once potatoes are harvested, the Ambient Ware Store ensures that the produce is safe from excess heat, humidity, pests, and rodents.
It is constructed to provide darkness, aeration and temperatures that can enable potatoes remain dormant for up to eight months, giving farmers ample time to find market.
“The store is meant to hold potatoes for up to one month before they are collected by the buyer. But the technology can sustain potatoes for up to eight months,” IFDC’s officer Brenda Aluda said.
Favourable prices
The project, funded by the Embassy of Ireland, seeks to set up 12 low-cost mini-warehouses in six counties.
“The store will enable farmers keep their potatoes and wait to sell at favourable prices, rather than being forced to sell at low prices. We have also linked farmers with reliable buyers, financiers and inputs suppliers to ensure maximum production per acre,” Ms Aluda said.
The store will serve 132 members of Kirimara Potato Farmers Association who have entered into a contract farming deal with Sereni Fries, a local potato processing firm.
Ms Aluda said the organisation is working with potato processors to provide a guaranteed market for farmers.
Kirimara chairlady Florence Kinoti said the group can now make Sh10 more per kilo due to the storage facility and contract farming.
“Previously, we would be in a rush to sell to brokers at any price for fear of losing the crop. When there is a bumper harvest, prices have been going down to Sh1, 500 per 100kg bag. With the storage facility, we can wait until prices go up,” Mrs Kinoti said.
She said the group sold its first 40 tonnes of Jelly potato, a processing variety tuber, earning more than Sh1 million.
Timau Ward agriculture officer Mercy Ndirangu said there are more than 2, 000ha on potato crop in the area.
Farming practices
According to IFDC, up to 40 per cent of potato crop grown in some areas is unusable because of post-harvest losses where about 815,000 tonnes, worth nearly Sh13 billion, are lost every year.
Potato is the second most consumed crop in the country cultivated by more than 800,000 farmers. According to the National Potato Council of Kenya, the sector can earn more than Sh50 billion annually if the right farming practices are adopted.
Source: Business Daily Africa