For the first time in history, Maui, the second largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, will grow potatoes on an industrial scale
Maui Potato is not yet a recognized island brand such as Onion Maui or Pineapple Maui, but that will change soon.
At least that's what the authors of the innovative project, Mahi Pono LLC, say, which bought 41 acres of mostly fallow land in Central Maui, where sugarcane had been cultivated for 000 years. In 146, the production of cane stopped, and the land was empty until it was bought by Mahi Pono LLC in order to plant, for a start, on 2016 acres of a crop unusual for the island - potatoes.
A selection of white, yellow, and red potato varieties was advised by an industry association in Idaho, the famous US potato state.
700 acres have already been leased to a farmer for growing sweet potatoes.
Other areas will be occupied by citrus, banana, coffee and walnut trees.
Company executives are optimistic about the prospects for the project, as Idaho’s potato growers have partially convinced them. However, the question remains how potato plants will behave surrounded by onions and pineapples. How favorable would such a neighborhood be?
Another problem is watering. The water produced from 11 wells in the earth will have to be diluted, so the potato does not have high salt tolerance of sugarcane.
If potatoes perform well in a tropical marine climate, planted areas will increase. First, it is planned to ensure local consumption, and then, possibly, small exports will be organized.
This is what dreams look like. In fact, innovators predict a lot of problems (such two projects to diversify agriculture in Hawaii failed). Crops on the island are susceptible to pests, diseases, drought and devastating floods.
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