University plant breeders develop drought-tolerant potato varieties

CHRISTINE CHERYL-MYGOV

University of Eldoret plant breeders have developed improved drought resistant and climate-smart potato varieties (pictured) to cushion farmers from the erratic rain patters.

The plant breeders continue to lead in developing practical agricultural innovations that address food security, climate resilience, and agribusiness growth ahead of the institution’s Agribusiness Trade Fair slated for 11- 13th September, 2025.

According to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Planning, Research and Extension, Prof Philip Raburu, the University will showcase various innovations developed by its staff and students.

“Among these are climate-smart crop production technologies, including improved drought-tolerant and high-yielding crop varieties, notably potato varieties like Eldo Amani and Eldo Fanaka, developed by its senior plant breeders at the School of Agriculture and Biotechnology,” said Prof Raburu.

The DVC disclosed that these varieties have been gazetted and released by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and are being produced in bulk at the University for sale to farmers. 

He pointed out that the University is also advancing sustainable crop processing technologies developed by Engineers from the Department of Agricultural Biosystems Engineering.

“Among these are various post-harvest handling technologies like the bean thresher, seed-pelleting machine, and potato grader, offering farmers and agripreneurs opportunities to increase profitability and reduce losses.”

“The bean-threshing machine integrates various components such as a flat base threshing unit, a cleaning unit, and a collection unit, all housed within a sturdy frame, to address common issues associated with traditional legume threshing methods, offering a more efficient and automated approach,” the DVC said.

In line with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, Prof Raburu said that the University has developed several agro- processing and value addition innovations, including fortified cereal products like the Omebix- biscuits fortified with omena to alleviate malnutrition in young children and fortified instant porridge or ugali flour.

“Fortified instant porridge or ugali flour is a highly nutritious, extruded instant porridge blend made from locally sourced cereals such as maize, sorghum, and millet, enriched with plantbased micronutrients.”