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…
State farmers and the cooperative-farmers sector have planted more than 600 hectares of potatoes in the province of Ciego de Avila and will continue to plant this tuber in the coming days to complete the goal of planting 755 hectares for the current winter season. The work is being carried out by workers from the companies La Cuba, Arnaldo Ramirez, El Mambi, and Cubasoy, belonging to the municipalities of Baragua, Primero de…
When you think of China, do you think of potatoes? Maybe not, but in the Loess Plateau region of northwestern China, potato is the main food crop. Even though it is such an important crop there, potato yields are lower than they could be. The area has a dry climate with uneven precipitation. Droughts are common, especially in the spring when crops are just starting to emerge. If soil moisture was more…
In Algeria, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries Abdelkader Bouazghi said Saturday, Dec. 8 in Guelma: “Algeria will stop the import of potato seeds in 2021.” In a statement to the press at the farm Richi Abdelmadjid in the commune of Belkheir, the minister indicated that this farm has “greatly”succeeded in the technical mastery of the production in quantities of seed potatoes of first generation (G1) allowing the production of second…
UK potato production has hit its lowest level since 2012 and the fourth smallest since 1960, down by 13% on the five-year average of 5.6m tonnes at 4.9m tonnes. The relatively low production figure is a result of an estimated 4.4% drop in planted area, and a 12% drop in average yield. The crop was heavily impacted by a combination of late planting and the prolonged hot and dry weather that stalled tuber…
November 02, 2018 – Ottawa, Ontario – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada The Government of Canada recognizes that Canadian innovation has helped make our country a leader in producing safe, high quality products and we are committed to fostering innovation in the agricultural sector – here in Canada and beyond. The Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay, is pleased that Canada has joined Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras,…
PRESQUE ISLE, MAINE—The McCain Top 10 Potato Growers were recognized at the annual McCain Grower Barbecue at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center in Presque Isle on August 24. Almost 300 guests gathered to celebrate the 2017 growing season and recognize the top ten growers and their achievements. Champion grower selection is based on the highest standing quality of the following three delivery categories: field direct delivery, winter storage delivery and…
New Zealand’s potato industry governing body has made a commitment to ensure the quality of potatoes imported from New Zealand by Fiji will be of top quality. Potatoes New Zealand (PNZ) says it wanted to see Fiji’s potato industry grow. Its chief executive, Chris Claridge, made the comments during the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji’s (BAF) bilateral meeting with the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (NZMPI) in Nadi on Tuesday.PNZ was representing…
Marketing of potatoes and their respective pricing often depends on what is happening with the crop in other parts of the world and there are some significant events that growers should be aware of. This Crop Update focuses on the European crop and growing conditions with information sourced from World Potato Markets, NEPG, AMI, and AHDB. The North-western European Potato Growers (NEPG) represents the five largest growing countries in Europe. Here is…