Production and availability of good quality seed potatoes in the East African region: A review

Demand for potatoes has grown rapidly in eastern Africa due to rapid population growth, urbanisation and life style changes. This has made potato an important commodity crop in the region contributing to food security and enhanced livelihoods. However, potato productivity in the region is low; ranging from 6 to10 t/ha against potential yields of over 30 t/ha. One of the major causes of low yields is the chronic shortage of good quality seed potatoes for planting, which also limits adoption of new and improved varieties. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to highlight the opportunities and progresses in the production and availability of good quality seed potatoes in the East African region to bolster the productivity and commercial value of the crop. The first section of the paper discusses the status of good quality seed potatoes production and availability in the East African region. The second section looks at the farmer-based seed potato production technologies while the third section focuses on the efforts of both the private and public sector in production of good quality seed potatoes. Availability of good quality seed potatoes constitutes < 1% of the requirement in eastern Africa. These seeds are mainly produced by public research institutions as well as some private players. Consequently, most farmers opt to plant seed potatoes from informal sources. However, seeds from informal sources are mostly of poor quality and often accelerate the spread of tuber-borne diseases, especially viruses and bacterial wilt. To improve seeds from informal system, some technologies have been identified and promoted to enhance farmer-based seed production and distribution. These include seed plot technology (SPT), positive selection techniques (PST) and Quality Declared Seed (QDS) systems. In addition, there has been adoption and promotion of rapid multiplication techniques (RMT) such as stem/shoot cuttings, aeroponics, sandponics, and hydroponics among others. Other measures that have been taken include importing seeds of new potato varieties. The imports increase the quantity of seeds and the number of potato varieties available to farmers. Despite these efforts, the quantity of good quality seeds available is still far below the requirements. There is need for the governments, private sector players as well as farmers to enhance their efforts and save the situation. Governments need to invest seriously in local breeding activities and multiplication of early generation seeds. These and other measures may increase availability of good quality and affordable seed potatoes in East African region.