Potatoes are one of the world’s most versatile crops, with a long history of cultivation in Wisconsin. While the first potato came to America around 1621, they were first cultivated around 200 B.C.
After two dry years out of four, many farmers are seriously considering the future viability of a water hungry crop like potatoes.
In Horowhenua District on the west coast of the North Island, potato growers are in the thick of planting at the moment. However, the very wet winter can make it tough going.
According to preliminary estimates by the Special Harvest and Quality Evaluation (BEE), this year’s potato harvest will be considerably smaller than those of previous years.
Egerton University has initiated an outreach project to train potato farmers on the modern “tissue culture” seed propagation technology aimed at enhancing potato productivity in Nakuru County.
After two dry years out of the last four, many UK farmers are seriously considering the future viability of potato cultivation.
As winter nears, demand for potatoes normally rises. Some packers are still using crop from 2021, which is helping to clear out any backlog, but some growers are concerned that quality might dip with these 12-month old potatoes.
Wet, soggy conditions have delayed the planting of potatoes in Horowhenua.
