Kenyan sweet potato farmers set eyes on EU market

In the wake of growing demand in the European market, more Kenyan farmers are turning to sweet potat…

In the wake of growing demand in the European market, more Kenyan farmers are turning to sweet potato growing. In Migori, the county government is teaming up with the European Union to build a Sh4 billion (€34 mln) sweet potato factory in Getonganya village.

A recent report by North-Western European Potato Growers Foundation indicated that there was a decline in potato yields in North-West Europe. The foundation consists of five countries - France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

The report indicated that sweet potato production in the Europe market would decrease by 2.5 percent this season. This has prompted leaders in Kenya to marshal farmers to increase their production. The sweet potato is expected to replace tobacco as the leading cash crop in both Kuria East and West constituencies.