This archive report was first published on 15 October 2019.
On a mission to transform the lives of potato farmers in Nyandarua County, Dominik Dieckmann, a German entrepreneur, is behind a multi-billion potato processing plant.
Dieckmann's vision is to establish a complete value chain for potatoes in the region, from farm to market, as a model for other crops across the country.
His idea was born during his first tour of Africa, where he discovered the untapped potential of the crop.
"The plan is to establish a complete value chain for potatoes in Nyandarua County, right from the farm to the market," Dieckmann told Enterprise in Germany.
The project involves a processing facility and a warehouse where potatoes can be stored once harvested, allowing farmers to wait for better prices.
Dieckmann, an energy expert, plans to power the plant with renewable energy.
"Farmers in Kenya do not make much from their crop due to low prices, as they lack facilities to store their produce for long periods," he says.
Post-harvest losses remain high in potato production due to the crop's perishable nature.
The project is supported by global conglomerate BASF, where Dieckmann works.
"With our strategy, we are opening a new chapter that puts the farmer's business at the centre of everything we do," says Vincent Gros, President of BASF's Agricultural Solutions division.
The Nyandarua government has accepted the concept and pledged its support.
The project aims to help farmers adopt good agronomical practices, such as using high-yielding seeds.
Kenya's seed demand stands at 30,000 tonnes annually, but the country only produces 6,700 tonnes, leading to a shortage.
The Kenya Agricultural Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro) recommends setting aside two percent of the country's annual budget for research to boost potato production.
