We continue to publish exclusive materials from the WPC (World Potato Congress), telling about the organization of an efficient seed potato production chain in Africa.
The World Potato Congress will take place from May 31 to June 3 in Dublin, Ireland. The event will bring together professionals including potato growers, wholesalers, packers, importers and exporters of both seed and ware potatoes.
In Africa, a farmer can get professional support if he wants to deal with seed potatoes. Let's look at a few examples.
1. Collaboration and institutional support for start-up potato growers in Ethiopia
Farmer Guta Gudisa dropped out of 9th grade due to lack of support and decided to become a potato grower. He received improved seed potatoes, training in production and management, and a business plan for potato production from the Holetta Agricultural Research Center of the Ethiopian Institute for Agricultural Research (EIAR) and the International Potato Center (CIP).
He planted a small amount of the improved seeds he received from EIAR on a 20m x 20m plot. He was impressed with the results and borrowed money from the people in his area at a high informal interest rate to rent the land to expand production.
He now grows up to 22 ha of potatoes per season (usually two seasons), mostly for seed production, but also for ware potatoes. In addition, he is engaged in other activities, including the production of dairy products from exotic cows that he bought from EIAR, the cultivation of eucalyptus trees, the transportation industry providing transportation services using three trucks he owns, which were originally funded from income from potatoes.
Guta provides employment for the local population. He has 18 permanent and 60 auxiliary workers during the peak season. In addition, he plans to build a school and a hotel that will bring great benefits to the community.
2. High-quality and healthy planting material
Guta produces up to 22 hectares of seed potatoes in accordance with the declared quality.
His potato fields are inspected twice during growth and once in diffused light storage by trained inspectors from the regulator, the Bureau of Agriculture and Natural Resources. EIAR and CIP provide training to these inspectors to give them specialized knowledge in inspecting seed potato fields.
If Guta does not receive a permit indicating that the crop meets QDS standards, he cannot sell his crop for seeds. He is one of the main sources of quality seeds for farmers in his area, as well as from different parts of the country, some of which are more than 700 km apart.