Northern European Potato TourNetherlands, Belgium and Northern Germany

Co-operation:• Sharing equipment and facilities• Collaboration• Greater co-operation as demographic ages• Predominantly family labour• Minimal accounting for labour/management• High land value; regular rental cost

Crop production:• Competitive pricing driving attention to detail• Tight rotations• No necessity for Nematicides… Yet!• Fewer preparatory operations

Marketing:• Processing crop delivered ungraded• Weekly pricing for fresh market producers• Use of hedging tools

Insightful tour:• Context with UK market

South Africa54,000 Ha grown per annum:

• Yields 30 to 80t/Ha – Irrigation?• Climate – El Nino drought

2.5 million tonnes production:• Growers 200 to 600 Ha• Limited varietal choice; Mondial, Sifra or…

Marketing:• 50% sold through W/sale markets• Bureaucratic agents system:

• Inspection• Classification

• 20% processed – ‘McCpresence’• Competitive ‘fresh’ retail scene

Potatoes South Africa

Year round production…

SandveldYear round planting/harvesting:

• Very soft sand

Centre pivot Irrigation:• Borehole• First installation 1980’s

Traditionally seed production:• Ware: Mondial, Avalanche, Sifra…

Potatoes importance:• 80% regional agricultural income• Grow/Pack ‘pockets’ to retail/whole sale• Progressive – Prepared foods

• Small scale• Labour intensive

Lamberts Bay PotatoesKookfontein, Lamberts Bay

Joos Englebrecht• 5th generation

Operating outside market system:• 100 Ha mainly Mondial• Selling locally and exporting:

• Angola and Namibia• Export bureaucratic – worthwhile

• Reliance on South Africa• Brand integrity – ‘Tell a story’• Regulated system doesn’t reward quality

Market challengesFocussing on rising social mobility:

• Life Style Measures (LSM) - 1 to 10:• Huge disparities

• Raise consumption in LSM 3 – 7• Competing Starch source – Maize

• Daily purchasing• Emphasising nutritional benefits of potatoes• Increased sophistication/diversity:

• Prepared products

Requirements:• From base product delivering value to prepared meal solutions• Very sensitive market• Increasing demand for accreditation and accountability

ConclusionsCost of production:

• Risen significantly• Profitable

Yield is King!• Varietal selection that delivers value• Which starch source today?

Political/Social challenges:• Employment/Empowerment• No incentive to invest in infrastructure

Growing potatoes in Kenya 150,000 Ha grown per annum:

• Average yield 10t/Ha

800,000 growers

Solanum tuberosum andigena:• Shorter day length• Two crops per annum

Popular variety: “Shangi”:• Where did that come from?

Poor agricultural practice:• Heavy Bacterial Wilt infestation• Minimal inputs• No rotational practice• Replanted ware

International Potato Centre

• Sustained food and nutritional security• Government Development/Charitable funding

Action:• Education programmes• Assisting Government organisations• Co-ordinating certified seed production• European varieties• Increase yield potential

Future developments:• Breeding to improve Nutrition and Health• Crossbreeding and selection• No GM

Kisima FarmsTimau, Nanyuki

Aeroponic mini tuber production:• Multiplication of invitro material• 50 x multiplication• Nutrient and water mist• Hygiene paramount; highly sensitive

Certified seed multiplication:• 2500m above sea level• Hugely fertile, volcanic soils

Educating Customers:• Trials and demonstrations• Outreach services• Best practice• Marketing advice

ConclusionsFuture food security:

• Nutritional responsibilities• Quality certified seed

Education programmes:• Good agricultural practice• Developing rural society

Growing potential:• Perfect opportunity:

• Climate• Market growth

• Entrepreneurial spirit• Preparing for processing

What next…

• November 2016:• Prince Edward Island, Canada• Idaho, Utah and Colorado, US

@rufus_pilgrim

rufus.pilgrim@cockerill.co.uk