Nairobi, Kenya – August 27, 2025
Kenyan farmers are set to benefit from two newly approved potato varieties developed in Scotland that promise to transform potato production and strengthen food security.
The varieties, named Malaika and Glen, were bred by scientists at the James Hutton Institute in Scotland in collaboration with Kenyan partners. They are resistant to the potato cyst nematode (PCN), a devastating soil pest that can destroy up to 80 percent of harvests in infested fields.
Potatoes are Kenya’s second most important staple crop after maize, supporting over 2.5 million people and generating about $500 million annually. Yet, in recent years, the spread of PCN has threatened livelihoods in key potato-growing regions such as Nakuru, Nyandarua, Meru, and Bomet.
What makes Malaika and Glen even more appealing to Kenyan farmers is that they combine pest resistance with locally preferred traits. These include quick cooking time, low dormancy, and the ability to be replanted soon after harvest—features that smallholder farmers have long demanded.
“This is a game-changer for Kenyan farmers. For the first time, we have potato varieties that not only resist a major pest but also fit well with our farmers’ needs,” said Dr. Catherine Kilelu, an agricultural researcher involved in the trials.
Commercial seed multiplication is already underway through companies such as Kisima Seeds, while distribution to smallholder farmers will be supported by networks like the Syngenta Foundation Farmers’ Hubs. Experts say this will help ensure that the new varieties reach rural farmers quickly and affordably.
The project represents a landmark international collaboration involving Kenyan institutions such as KEPHIS, icipe, and the University of Nairobi, working alongside Scottish scientists and global agricultural partners.
Agricultural analysts note that if widely adopted, the varieties could significantly improve potato yields, reduce dependence on pesticides, and enhance household incomes—helping Kenya take a major step forward in securing its food systems.
For many farmers, Malaika and Glen are more than just potatoes. They represent a new hope against a pest that has long undermined Kenya’s efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency.
