Naivasha Prepares to Host World Potato Congress as Farmers Face Seed and Climate Challenges
Featured image: Archive photograph of potatoes grown near Mount Kenya in 2010; illustrative only, not the Naivasha congress. CIAT / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Kenya is preparing to host the 13th World Potato Congress in Naivasha from 26 to 30 October 2026, bringing a global agricultural gathering to sub-Saharan Africa for the first time. The event is scheduled for Sawela Lodges and Convention Centre in Nakuru County.
Organisers expect more than 1,000 delegates from over 60 countries, according to details reported by the Kenya News Agency on 12 October. Participants are expected to include farmers, scientists, policymakers, investors and agribusiness representatives.
Why Nakuru is central to the conversation
Nakuru is one of Kenya’s major potato-producing counties. County Chief Officer for Agriculture Joyce Ncece said the region accounts for about 15 percent of national potato production. The congress gives local producers an opportunity to connect with researchers and companies working on seed systems, mechanisation and processing.
For smallholder farmers, the biggest test is whether discussions lead to practical improvements. Reliable access to certified seed, timely disease control, fair markets and better storage facilities can have a more immediate effect on household income than a high-profile conference alone.
Seed quality, disease and unpredictable weather
The programme includes sessions on potato varieties, seed production, pest and disease management, post-harvest handling and climate-smart farming. These subjects matter because potato yields are sensitive to planting material, rainfall patterns and crop health.
Farmers should distinguish certified seed from ware potatoes intended for consumption. Seed quality affects crop establishment and the risk of spreading disease between farms. Local agricultural extension officers can help growers identify appropriate varieties and recommended planting practices for their area.
Markets and value addition
Delegates will also discuss processing, trade and investment. Expanding processing capacity could create more demand for potatoes that meet particular quality specifications, but farmers need clear information about contracts, grading standards and prices before making costly production changes.
Organisers say the congress could support the Kenya Potato Industry Declaration and Investment Plan for 2026–2030. Any resulting commitments will need measurable timelines, funding and public reporting to demonstrate benefits to growers.
What happens next
The conference is expected to feature technical talks, exhibitions and field visits. Its significance will be judged not only by the number of international delegates but also by whether farmers gain access to better information, stronger markets and technologies suited to local conditions.
Source: Kenya News Agency, 12 October 2026.
Editor’s note: This is a preview published on 13 October; the congress has not yet taken place.
