Scientists at the National Potato Innovation Centre (NPIC), part of The James Hutton Institute, have developed two new potato varieties now officially listed on Kenya’s National Variety List.

The varieties, Malaika and Glen, were introduced through a collaboration involving the University of St Andrews, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the International Potato Center (CIP), the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), and Seeds2B.

Originally developed under a joint project between Greenvale and Hutton Scientific Services, the commercial arm of the Hutton Institute, the potatoes combine local agronomic preferences with resistance to potato cyst nematode (PCN), a parasitic pest that damages roots, stunts growth, and reduces yields.

Professor John Jones, senior scientist and the Hutton and St Andrews lead on the project, said: “The release of these two varieties is the culmination of many years work and is a collaboration between social scientists, crop scientists, plant breeders, the Kenyan Government, seed suppliers and farmers. It has brought together researchers and stakeholders in the UK and in Africa to help ensure that we are providing solutions that are in line with the needs of growers in the region. I’m delighted that we have passed this critical milestone.”

Danny Coyne, senior scientist at IITA, added: “PCN is a major pest of a key crop in Kenya, and the region, and the delivery of Malaika and Glen marks a major breakthrough for controlling this pest.”

Potato is Kenya’s second most important food crop after maize, supporting around 2.5 million people in the value chain and generating an estimated annual value of $500 million. The new varieties are expected to provide smallholder farmers with more resilient options, while also appealing to local processors.

Beyond their nematode resistance, Malaika and Glen have traits tailored to farmer needs, including low dormancy for quicker replanting and fast-cooking tubers to reduce household fuel use. Commercial distribution will be led by Kisima Seeds, while Syngenta Foundation Farmers’ Hubs will provide technical support and seed multiplication for smallholders.

The James Hutton Institute noted that the varieties have potential beyond Kenya, contributing to food security in neighboring countries also affected by PCN.