Solynta registers SOLHY023 hybrid potato variety in Kenya, boosting late blight resistance
This resistance significantly reduces pesticide use, lowers production costs for farmers, and improves crop reliability.
KENYA – Agricultural technology company Solynta has announced the official approval and registration of its new hybrid potato variety SOLHY023 in Kenya, expanding its portfolio of Hybrid True Potato Seed varieties and strengthening the country’s potato production systems.
The newly approved hybrid combines stable field performance with multiple genes conferring resistance to Late Blight, helping to improve crop resilience while providing growers with another variety developed through Hybrid True Potato Seed technology.
“The approval of SOLHY023 is another important step in delivering on Solynta’s vision to improve potato production through continuous innovation,” said Peter Poortinga, Chief Executive Officer of Solynta.
“Every new variety we introduce reflects years of scientific research, collaboration, and commitment from our teams.”
Hybrid True Potato Seeds provide disease-free planting material that is compact, easy to transport and store, and available year-round.
In addition, farmers need only 25 grams of seed to plant the same area that would otherwise require 2,500 kilograms of tubers, reducing costs and logistical challenges.
Late Blight is a devastating disease that severely reduces potato yields, particularly in regions such as Kenya, where the highlands face intense disease pressure. Farmers often spray fungicides up to twice weekly to protect crops, but hybrid varieties with multiple resistance genes can remain disease-free without chemical applications.
As a result, this resistance significantly reduces pesticide use, lowers production costs for farmers, and improves crop reliability. In Kenyan trials, hybrid seeds have delivered yields three to four times higher than local varieties while remaining free of disease symptoms.
Kenya continues to play a pivotal role in Solynta’s commercial development strategy in Eastern Africa and remains an important market for demonstrating the commercial value of Hybrid True Potato Seeds.
The introduction of SOLHY023 builds on previous successful variety approvals and reinforces Solynta’s long-term commitment to supporting the country’s potato production through ongoing variety innovation.
“This is more than another addition to our portfolio,” said Charles Miller, Director of Strategic Alliances & Commercial Development at Solynta.
“It demonstrates our ability to continuously improve our hybrids and respond to the evolving needs of growers. Every successful variety approval strengthens confidence in Hybrid True Potato Seeds and helps build the commercial foundation for expanding this technology into additional markets“.
Finally, the availability of SOLHY023 is the result of close collaboration with local agronomy testing partner Seeds2B, research partners, regulators, and stakeholders across Kenya.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
