Peru: Low white potato prices affect Huánuco producers
Prices for white potatoes produced in the Huánuco department are extremely low, affecting local producers, who cannot compete with agricultural production on the Peruvian coast.
Last year, favorable weather conditions allowed the region to sow large areas, achieving abundant production that continues in these first weeks of the year. This was expressed by engineer Alejandro Mendoza Aguilar, agronomist and master in Genetic Improvement of Plants, a renowned agricultural researcher in Huánuco, although not recognized as he should be by the political authorities of the region.
He indicated that the prices of white potatoes from the Peruvian coast, in the strip that goes from Barranca to Arequipa, are very low, with costs of 0.40 cents per kilogram. In comparison, the production price of Yungay potatoes is 0.60 cents and that of Canchán potatoes is 0.80 cents, which causes the decapitalization of Huánuco farmers, whose potatoes are of better quality, but are paid at 0.40 or 0.45 cents per kilogram. Finally, the eastern markets, such as Iquitos, prefer the lower-priced potatoes.
He said that the complicated situation for Huánuco farmers is due to the lack of planning in sowing based on demand, a national problem that is worsened in Huánuco due to the inefficiency of the Regional Government and the Regional Directorate of Agriculture. These entities do not plan or contribute with studies to carry out sowing contracts based on local demand, despite the fact that there are already models that work and could be used.
He pointed out that between 8 and 10 thousand hectares of white potatoes were planted in Huánuco, out of a total of 45 thousand hectares of potatoes per year. In February, the large planting of yellow potatoes will begin, and farmers are already preparing for it.
Huánuco, with its competitive advantage and the high quality of the “tumbay de ojos azules” variety, will continue to provide 70% of Lima’s demand, which is promoted by private companies in the capital, but unknown by the Regional Government.
Mendoza Aguilar also highlighted that, despite the difficulties, Huánuco has great potential that arises by itself, such as native potatoes with colored pulp. The Plaza Punta de Panao organization, for example, has a good contract in Lima, providing four varieties: jejorani, cachua de toro, sumaq sonqo and huayro macho.
There is also another farmers’ association in Tranca Buenos Aires, near La Linda in Panao, that works with the huayro moro variety, which is used in pachamanca and other preparations. This variety is now produced for a vodka company under the brand 14 Incas, which is produced in Lima. The company chose the huayro moro potato from Panao, which is moister, instead of the same variety from Ayacucho and Huancavelica, which is drier.
The specialist recommended that potato producers who harvest between April and May in the low and intermediate areas of Huánuco plant corn after potatoes, since the latter leaves many nutrients that were not used. By harvesting between August and December, they will obtain a good price, because in those months there is a shortage of corn and the prices per unit are between 1.00 and 1.50 soles.
Finally, he highlighted that agricultural production in Huánuco is unmatched in the country due to its geographical location and neutral climate, which allows for the high-quality production of any agricultural product.
SOMETHING ELSE
Alejandro Mendoza produced four varieties of potatoes for poultry farms: pollera, the other, crispy and the huatia which is similar to the Yungay with good yields, without institutional support.
Fuente: tudiariohuanuco.pe
