On the Facebook Group Potato Farmers Kenya PFK, one user, Shaz, has shared her frustrations after the outcomes of her investments in potato farming went against her expectations.
Shaz revealed she had invested Sh76,000 on an acre of Shangi potatoes but harvested only 22 bags, raising questions about what she might have done wrong.
“Wah, one acre shangii kanitenda. I feel sick — 76,000/= expense. Output: 22 bags, yet I planted 34 bags of seed. Why me? Niliendea wapi wrong jameni?,’’ she wrote.
Responding to the matter, Felister Kiundu, an Agriculture Research Consultant, pointed out some of the issues that might have led to the loss.
“This is more than just a farming loss — it’s a call for answers, support, and systemic change. Behind those numbers lies the untold pain of a farmer who gave her all—time, money, labor, hope only to harvest less than expected,” Ms. Kiundu stated.
So, where might the problem lie, according to Kiundu?
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Seed Quality: Could the certified seeds be failing? Or are counterfeit seeds still in circulation? Shaz might have used counterfeit seeds or handled authentic seeds incorrectly.
Soil Health: Did she conduct a soil test before planting? While most farmers neglect this process, it’s essential because depleted soils give poor returns.
Weather Patterns: Unpredictable rain or drought might have impacted the yield.
Extension Services: Where were the agronomists and support structures when she needed guidance? Agronomy support over the course of the season would have identified issues ahead of time.
Post-Planting Management: From pest control to fertilizer timing — could gaps in crop care have cost her yield?
What Can We Learn?
This story isn’t unique to Shaz — it’s happening to many smallholder farmers across Kenya. It’s a reminder that:
- Access to information is critical.
- Agronomic support must be closer to the ground.
- We need to relook at the cost of inputs vs actual returns.
- Farmer stories like this must inform policy, not just pity.
