Potato farmers across Kenya are increasingly struggling to access certified seeds, with shortages for some varieties becoming so acute that farmers are being forced to delay planting or resort to low-quality seed. The consequences are significant, resulting in poor yields, reduced income, and growing risks to food security in the region.
In response to this challenge, Farm Mall is drawing attention to a practical and accessible solution: apical cuttings. Rather than depending entirely on scarce and expensive certified seeds, farmers can learn to produce their own clean planting material using this technique. Apical cuttings allow farmers to multiply high-quality seed from a small starting point, reduce dependence on costly certified seeds, improve crop health and overall yields, and build greater long-term resilience on their farms.
© Farm Mall
One of the key advantages of this approach is its versatility. Apical cuttings can be grown across a range of environments, including open fields, greenhouses, hydroponics, and aeroponic systems, making it a flexible option suitable for farmers operating under different conditions and at different scales.
© Farm Mall
Farm Mall, which is committed to empowering farmers with knowledge, tools, and access to agricultural innovations, will be hosting a free virtual training session on apical cuttings on Thursday, 4th April 2026. The training is open to all farmers, both small-scale and large-scale, and aims to equip participants with the skills to produce their own seed, reduce input costs, and adopt modern farming techniques. Interested participants can register at the link here.
Source: Farm Mall
