Ex ante economic impact assessment of the 3R-gene potato in Kenya

Potato late-blight disease is as a major constraint to potato production in Kenya. The use of fungicides to control the disease is limited by the practice of delaying application until the symptoms are visible, and inappropriate application rates and methods. Biotech crops, such as 3R-gene potato, a...

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Main Authors: Kihiu, Evelyne, Ghislain, M., Kibe, Anthony Mwangi, Nancy, Ng’ang’a, Gatto, Marcel, Falck-Zepeda, José B.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/174003
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author Kihiu, Evelyne
Ghislain, M.
Kibe, Anthony Mwangi
Nancy, Ng’ang’a
Gatto, Marcel
Falck-Zepeda, José B.
author_browse Falck-Zepeda, José B.
Gatto, Marcel
Ghislain, M.
Kibe, Anthony Mwangi
Kihiu, Evelyne
Nancy, Ng’ang’a
author_facet Kihiu, Evelyne
Ghislain, M.
Kibe, Anthony Mwangi
Nancy, Ng’ang’a
Gatto, Marcel
Falck-Zepeda, José B.
author_sort Kihiu, Evelyne
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Potato late-blight disease is as a major constraint to potato production in Kenya. The use of fungicides to control the disease is limited by the practice of delaying application until the symptoms are visible, and inappropriate application rates and methods. Biotech crops, such as 3R-gene potato, are providing sustainable solutions to crop protection challenges in agriculture, but little is known about their social and economic potential in any country. To gain greater insights into the potential of 3R-gene potato in Kenya, this study evaluates the economic benefits of Asante, Shangi, and Tigoni potato varieties, which are resistant to late blight. Data from experts along the potato value chain and secondary sources are analyzed using the economic surplus model and a real options model. First, experts’ opinions revealed that late-blight disease is responsible for 23% of production loss annually, and that 12% of the production costs are due to the use of fungicides to control late blight disease. Secondly, the study results suggest that the release of 3R-gene Shangi would generate the greatest economic benefits of KES 845.9 million (US$ 8.2 million) annually. The expected net benefits of 3R-gene Asante are KES 7.3 million (US$ 0.07 million) annually. 3R-gene Tigoni, with the lowest potential adoption rates, would be expected to realize a negative net of KES of -1.26 million (US$ -0.01 million) annually. Significant potential economic gains, which is expected to increase with better awareness of biotech crops, support the immediate release of 3R-gene Shangi in Kenya.
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spelling CGSpace1740032026-01-19T19:07:16Z Ex ante economic impact assessment of the 3R-gene potato in Kenya Kihiu, Evelyne Ghislain, M. Kibe, Anthony Mwangi Nancy, Ng’ang’a Gatto, Marcel Falck-Zepeda, José B. capacity development crop production impact assessment potatoes Potato late-blight disease is as a major constraint to potato production in Kenya. The use of fungicides to control the disease is limited by the practice of delaying application until the symptoms are visible, and inappropriate application rates and methods. Biotech crops, such as 3R-gene potato, are providing sustainable solutions to crop protection challenges in agriculture, but little is known about their social and economic potential in any country. To gain greater insights into the potential of 3R-gene potato in Kenya, this study evaluates the economic benefits of Asante, Shangi, and Tigoni potato varieties, which are resistant to late blight. Data from experts along the potato value chain and secondary sources are analyzed using the economic surplus model and a real options model. First, experts’ opinions revealed that late-blight disease is responsible for 23% of production loss annually, and that 12% of the production costs are due to the use of fungicides to control late blight disease. Secondly, the study results suggest that the release of 3R-gene Shangi would generate the greatest economic benefits of KES 845.9 million (US$ 8.2 million) annually. The expected net benefits of 3R-gene Asante are KES 7.3 million (US$ 0.07 million) annually. 3R-gene Tigoni, with the lowest potential adoption rates, would be expected to realize a negative net of KES of -1.26 million (US$ -0.01 million) annually. Significant potential economic gains, which is expected to increase with better awareness of biotech crops, support the immediate release of 3R-gene Shangi in Kenya. 2025-03 2025-04-03T15:16:16Z 2025-04-03T15:16:16Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/174003 en Open Access Kihiu, Evelyne; Ghislain, Marc; Kibe, Anthony Mwangi; Nancy, Ng’ang’a; Gatto, Marcel; and Falck-Zepeda, José B. 2025. Ex ante economic impact assessment of the 3R-gene potato in Kenya. PLOS One 20(3): e0309329. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0309329
spellingShingle capacity development
crop production
impact assessment
potatoes
Kihiu, Evelyne
Ghislain, M.
Kibe, Anthony Mwangi
Nancy, Ng’ang’a
Gatto, Marcel
Falck-Zepeda, José B.
Ex ante economic impact assessment of the 3R-gene potato in Kenya
title Ex ante economic impact assessment of the 3R-gene potato in Kenya
title_full Ex ante economic impact assessment of the 3R-gene potato in Kenya
title_fullStr Ex ante economic impact assessment of the 3R-gene potato in Kenya
title_full_unstemmed Ex ante economic impact assessment of the 3R-gene potato in Kenya
title_short Ex ante economic impact assessment of the 3R-gene potato in Kenya
title_sort ex ante economic impact assessment of the 3r gene potato in kenya
topic capacity development
crop production
impact assessment
potatoes
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/174003
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