Argentina: Southern Mendoza is looking to boost potato production by creating a provincial cluster.
The creation of the new cluster seeks to coordinate these capabilities, contribute knowledge and innovation, and strengthen a production chain that has one of its key points in southern Mendoza.
Potato production in Mendoza seeks to advance with the formation of a cluster that will integrate producers, technical bodies, universities and the public sector, highlighting the southern part of the province as the protagonist of this initiative.
On August 14th, the second meeting was held to further the development of the Mendoza Potato Cluster. This forum aims to build a shared agenda for the industry, identify challenges, generate solutions, and explore new growth opportunities.
Participants included seed potato producers from Malargüe and representatives from INTA, ISCAMEN, the Ministry of Production of Mendoza, the National University of Cuyo, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Municipality of Malargüe.
The proposal seeks to integrate the entire production chain around four pillars: seed potatoes, potatoes for consumption, potatoes destined for industry, and Andean potatoes.
Southern Mendoza stands out as a strategic area for seed potatoes. Currently, the Malargüe and El Sosneado region is a protected area for seed potato production, a sanitary designation that Uspallata previously also held.
This condition is key for an activity that requires strict controls to reduce the risk of spreading diseases and pests.
In this context, San Rafael also plays a strategic role. The Plant Protection Laboratory at the Rama Caída Agricultural Experiment Station of INTA is authorized by INASE to perform post-harvest sanitary analyses and issue official certificates.
In this laboratory, specific studies are carried out to detect viruses and nematodes, mandatory controls for those who produce potatoes intended for seed.
The agricultural area dedicated to this crop in the Malargüe-San Rafael region remains relatively stable. In recent seasons, it has fluctuated between 900 and 1,100 hectares, with variations mainly related to water availability.
The importance of this production extends beyond the borders of Mendoza. The seed potatoes produced in the southern part of the province supply important potato-growing areas in different parts of Argentina.
From here, materials are sent to production regions such as Tres Arroyos, Balcarce, Necochea, and Tandil, as well as Córdoba, Santa Fe, Chubut, and Río Negro. It also supplies other areas of Mendoza, such as Tupungato, Corralitos, and Rodeo del Medio.
Fuente: diariosanrafael.com.ar
