b'Sustainability PushIts not just EFF thats keen to capitalize on lower input potatoes with a bigger sustainability ethos behind it. HZPC is the single largest exporter of potato genetics globally and has been working feverishly on varieties that require less water, as well as other inputs. According to company president Gerard Backx, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, namely no poverty and no hunger, nicely dovetail into his companys mission and vision for the future, and he believes potatoes are the most logical way to achieve that.The higher the output with lower input, thats important, he says. We work hard to increase the output and create high-yielding varieties with good resistances.The Danina potato is being brought to market in North America by Earth Fresh Farms.Backx understands though, that PHOTO: EARTH FRESH FARMS business decisions often drive the varieties grown. He cites the unending popularity and familiarity of the Russet Burbank in North America for french fry When we talk about improving varieties forproduction because of its predictability and observes that processors have created Canada, its limited to some extent because oftheir production lines to work well with the end usage. Right now, something has tothat specific spud. This in spite of the fact displace Russet Burbank.that higher-yielding, lower input potatoes are already available to growers. HELEN TAI We have created several newer varieties that are giving higher yields in the last 10 years, he says, adding they outperform russets in with ease. At the end, you have to look at what the consumer wants.Other countries are most receptive to different varieties of potatoes and Backx uses the example of India, where HZPC has its potatoes grown regularly in a wheat-rice-potato rotation. The potatoes are grown in 85 days and yield 20 per cent higher than previously grown varieties.While other crops have benefited from being relatively more popular, Backx says, adding that a potato has very complicated genetics with low margins. However, the company has been at it for 15 years focused on which varieties could perform better in drought or dry conditions and its paying off today for growers around the world. Backx, a plant breeder by trade, The Danina potato shows strong trial results despite using 23 per cent less water than manycontinues to be optimistic about the other mainstream varieties. PHOTO: EARTH FRESH FARMS future of potatos potential. Theories 18SPUDSMART.COM Summer 2022'