Sweet Potato Farming in Kenya – A Success Story from Kirinyaga

When James Thangwa, a former broadcaster, visited Kirinyaga County, he never imagined that a simple observation would change his life.

“I was in Kirinyaga and saw how buyers from Nairobi and other towns were scrambling for sweet potatoes. The farm price was good, and I decided to try it,” Thangwa recalls with a smile.

Sweet potato farm

🚜 From Broadcaster to Farmer

With determination and curiosity, Thangwa leased less than an acre of land and planted the Bungoma variety, a popular red-skinned sweet potato known for its rich vitamin content, fast growth, and high yield.
“I bought the cuttings in Kerugoya for just Sh5,000,” he says.

Three months later, his decision paid off handsomely. With the guidance of local farmers, Thangwa found a buyer and sold 70 bags of sweet potatoes at Sh3,500 per bag, earning an impressive return from his first harvest.

🌾 High-Yield, Low-Input Crop

According to Stephen Mureithi, the Principal at Waruhiu Agricultural Centre in Githunguri, an acre of well-managed sweet potatoes can yield up to 40 tonnes in just three to four months.

“Sweet potatoes require minimal inputs,” Mureithi explains. “You don’t need fertilizers or pesticides, just proper planting methods, watering, and pruning. Demand is growing fast across the country.”

💡 Adding Value for Bigger Returns

The market for sweet potatoes is evolving rapidly. Many companies are now adding value by processing the crop into fortified flours, crisps, and even baby food.

Encouraged by his first success, Thangwa is now scaling up to one-and-a-half acres, targeting a profit of at least Sh450,000 in his next harvest.
“I’m working with agricultural experts to do everything right,” he says. “It’s a venture I’d encourage the youth to try, low capital, less labor, and quick returns.”

🏙️ A Growing Market

The demand in Nairobi and other urban centers continues to rise as traders look for reliable, nearby suppliers to cut transportation costs.
“The lowest a bag can fetch is Sh2,500, and the market is always available,” Thangwa notes.

Sweet potatoes thrive in a wide range of soils and climates, making them suitable for regions such as Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Rachuonyo, Kisii, and parts of Central Kenya.

However, Thangwa points out a major challenge: unethical packaging.
“Some buyers use oversized bags to cheat farmers. If the government regulates the packaging, profits will be fairer,” he says.

🌍 The Future of “Orphan Crops”

Sweet potatoes, often grouped with cassava and millet as “orphan crops,” have long been undervalued despite their potential.
Agricultural experts now argue that reviving these traditional crops is key to improving nutrition, food security, and income for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa.

🧁 The Power of Value Addition

According to Lillian Jeptanui, a horticultural expert at Egerton University, value addition could transform sweet potato farming entirely.
“Processing sweet potatoes into flour and crisps allows farmers to earn more. The products can also be vacuum-sealed or frozen to extend shelf life,” she explains.

“The yellow sweet potato flour is highly marketable; it’s used in making chapatis, cakes, and soups. Adding amaranth flour boosts nutrition even further,” she adds.

Despite this potential, only a few farmers have embraced processing.
“During peak seasons, prices drop significantly. Value addition helps preserve the produce and stabilize income,” says Jeptanui.

🍠 Beyond the Plate

Sweet potatoes can be boiled, roasted, blended into juice, or processed into flour, offering countless opportunities for creative agribusiness. With the right training and investment in processing facilities, this humble crop could power Kenya’s next agricultural revolution.

🐛 Common Sweet Potato Pests and Diseases

Like all crops, sweet potatoes face challenges from pests and diseases such as:

1. Bacterial soft rot

2. Black rot

3. Pox

4. Fusarium root and stem rot

5. Bacterial wilt

6. Alternaria leaf spot and blight

7. Leaf and stem scab

Proper crop rotation, clean planting materials, and field hygiene can help minimize these threats.

🌿 Final Thoughts

Thangwa’s journey from broadcasting to successful sweet potato farming shows that agriculture remains one of Kenya’s most promising ventures.
With low input costs, fast growth, strong demand, and growing opportunities in value addition, sweet potatoes are not just a food crop; they’re a pathway to prosperity.

“It’s a business I’d recommend to anyone,” says Thangwa. “You don’t need much land or capital, just the courage to start.”