Unlocking the Potential of 3R-Gene Potato in Kenya: Why timely release of 3R-gene Shangi matters for food security and farmer incomes
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Potato is Kenya’s second most important food staple, yet average yields have declined sharply over the past two decades, largely due to late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans. This policy brief assesses the potential economic and social impacts of releasing a late blight–resistant biotech potato variety, 3R-gene Shangi, developed through the stacking of three resistance genes into a farmer-preferred variety. Using a multi-region economic surplus model (DREAMpy), results show that 3R-gene Shangi could generate net annual benefits of approximately KES 845.9 million (USD 8.2 million) and enable about 3,063 people to escape poverty each year under the baseline adoption scenario. A five-year delay in release would reduce expected annual benefits by 36%, while a strategy of sequential releases of additional 3R-gene varieties could raise benefits to about KES 1.216 billion per year. The brief highlights the importance of timely regulatory approval, strong seed systems, and effective farmer outreach to fully realize the food security, income, and environmental benefits of 3R-gene potato in Kenya.
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potatoes, phytophthora infestans, disease resistance, varieties