Root and tuber crops are currently the second most important food crop category in Kenya after cereals. The main root and tuber crops produced in Kenya are potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, yams, and cocoyams. They are important food crops that have gained increased importance due to their role in food security, their ability to withstand drought as well as their potential for commercial processing.
Roots and Tubers Production
Production of roots and tuber on average in 2018 acreage was 322,050Ha with a production of 3.68M MT valued at 65.92Billion. Potato is the major tuber crop whose area increased from 99,475ha in 2012 to 217,315ha in 2018 while production increased from 1,436718MT to 1,867,376MT over the same period. Kenya produces on average 3.68M MT of potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava, coco-yams, and yams.
Contribution of roots and tubers to health
Plants producing starchy roots, tubers, rhizomes, corms, and stems provide nutrition and health. They are also an important source of animal feed and processed products for human consumption and industrial use.
