The government of the Netherlands and Dutch businesses have inked an agreement to undertake a “potato impact cluster” project in Bangladesh. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and a consortium of Dutch businesses joined hands to share their experience and best practices with potato farmers in Bangladesh to improve supply chain in potato sector of Bangladesh. An amount of Euro 900,000 has been allocated for this three-year project, said the Bangladesh Embassy in…
The World Potato Congress (WPC) is looking to increase its networking role for the global professional potato value chain, especially during the interval between congresses. As a result, WPC is setting up a webinar series to bring potato professionals together by offering presentations to share inspiring and innovative knowledge or visions. On Monday, February 25, 2019 at 9 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, WPC President, Romain Cools, will introduce this new communication approach…
Syngenta Canada Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of Minecto® Pro foliar-applied insecticide for broad-spectrum control of key pests in potatoes, apples, pears, and a variety of vegetable crops. Minecto Pro delivers rapid activity through two complementary active ingredients – abamectin (Group 6) and cyantraniliprole (Group 28). Both active ingredients use translaminar movement within the plant to achieve excellent coverage, providing a reservoir of activity for extended residual control of targeted…
The humble potato may just be an important food for the future of space exploration. A recent experiment has taken place in the Peruvian capital of Lima. It saw a potato plant growing in conditions similar to what you might find on the surface of Mars. Experiments were conducted using Peru’s desert soil. Conditions were set up to mimic the harsh climate on Mars. These included an atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide….
After 20 years of biotechnological research, the first GMO potato that is resistant to the PVY virus is said to go on sale to the public next year in Argentina. The potato’s productive and economic benefits are estimated at 45 million dollars per year in the Argentine market alone. This transgenic potato is the result of an achievement by Technoplant, a subsidiary of the Sidus group of companies. On August 8 of…
What goes around comes around at Cavendish Farms in New Annan, P.E.I. — potato scraps from the french-fry plant are used at the nearby biogas facility to fuel the fry factory they came from. According to the company, generating biogas allowed it to reduce its dependency on fuel oil by 30 per cent, reducing greenhouse gases by about 35,000 tonnes — the equivalent of taking 7,300 cars off the road for one year….
Figures published this week by AHDB Potatoes confirm that 2018 was one of the worst Great Britain potato harvests in recent years, with volumes significantly lower than average and processors noting a direct impact on the quality of available raw materials. Although the 2018 harvest is now complete, UK potato processors (crisp and French fry manufacturers) anticipate that the impacts of this year’s weather conditions will continue to be felt by the…
With harvest having concluded two to three months ago, potato growers in the Northwest are reporting good supplies as the end of the year approaches. They say yield was close to the average this season with decent growing conditions for the most part. “Potatoes in Idaho are generally in good supply,” shared Kevin Stanger of Wada Farms. “Our primary crop are Russets – both Norkota and Burbanks, but we also grow reds,…
Beginning in the New Year, McCain Foods (Canada) will celebrate 40 years of sustained operation and investment in Manitoba together with employees, growers and neighbours in the local communities where it operates: Carberry and Portage la Prairie. “In 2019, the McCain Portage la Prairie facility will celebrate 40 years of continued operation in the local area,” announced Danielle Barran, President, McCain Foods Canada. “Our 40-year presence in the community is a strong…
Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is offering support to customers in Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick whose potato crops were impacted by an unusually wet, cold fall, causing a loss in revenue. Potatoes need to be dry and not too cold to be harvested without the risk of damage, and there were very few days in October and November where conditions were right. This followed an extremely challenging growing season, mired by…