Browsing: potato farming

Potatoes Africa

Potatoes can play star role in tackling Africa’s food crisis

Industry and Trade
  • The average potato yield in Sub-Saharan Africa stands at 7.8 tonnes per hectare.
  • This is too low compared with India at 23.7 metric tonnes per hectare and a global average of about 21 tonnes.
  • Whereas many African countries with vast agricultural potential import the crop, Egypt is an exception.

With the exception of Egypt and South Africa, the continent is a net importer of common food crops including potatoes despite the huge potential of many countries to grow the tuber that can tackle Africa's food crisis.

Grown in over 125 countries and consumed by at least a billion people every day, potatoes are arguably one of the world's most important root crops.

According to FAO, the average potato yield in Sub-Saharan Africa stands at 7.8 tonnes per hectare. This is too low compared with India at 23.7 metric tonnes per hectare and a global average of about 21 tonnes. Data…

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KFC gets Kenyans angry over decision to not source potatoes locally

Kenya
  • Kentucky Fried Chicken, alias KFC, has suffered a potato shortage at its outlets in Kenya
  • The company said there had been delays in the delivery of potatoes from its overseas suppliers, forcing the company to put alternative food items on the menu in place of the French fries
  • These sentiments from the CEO on his reluctance to buy local potatoes got Kenyans angry

Fast-food restaurant chain Kentucky Fried Chicken, alias KFC, has suffered a potato shortage at its outlets in Kenya. There have been delays in the delivery of potatoes from its overseas suppliers, forcing the company to put alternative food items on the menu in place of the French fries.

The chief executive of KFC in East Africa, Jacques Theunissen, told Business Daily on January 3 that the shortage of fries, locally known as chips, has been caused by a mishap in the global supply of potatoes.

Jacques said …