NAIROBI, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- The 13th World Potato Congress opened in Kenya's resort town of Naivasha on Monday, with more than 1,000 delegates from 67 countries reiterating the need to diversify and add value to the crop.
The event, the first edition to be held in sub-Saharan Africa, runs from Monday to Friday under the theme "Global Potato Partnership for Enhanced Food Systems, Nutrition Security and Trade."
Mutahi Kagwe, Kenya's cabinet secretary for agriculture and livestock development, said the congress provides an opportunity for senior policymakers, industry executives, researchers and farmers' organizations to explore new strategies for revitalizing the potato subsector and ensure the crop thrives despite challenges such as climate change, pests and diseases.
"We need stronger cooperation in addressing challenges and opportunities facing potato producers, commodity markets, changing consumer preferences, research, innovation and climate change," Kagwe said.
He urged delegates to focus on solutions that smallholder potato farmers can adopt to boost productivity, enhance resilience and promote environmental sustainability.
According to Kagwe, potato is the second most important food and cash crop in Kenya. In 2024, the country produced about 2.2 million tons of potatoes valued at 72.5 billion shillings (about 558 million U.S. dollars), providing opportunities for farmers, transporters, traders and processors.
Through partnership with international research bodies, Kenya has also prioritized the deployment of climate-resilient, disease- and pest-resistant potato varieties, while investing in cold chains and other technologies that reduce post-harvest losses, said Kagwe.
He added that Kenya is open to enriching international discussions on the role of potatoes in food systems, nutritional security and trade to benefit communities that grow the crop. ■
