Northern European Potato Tour...Northern European Potato Tour Netherlands, Belgium and Northern...
Transcript of Northern European Potato Tour...Northern European Potato Tour Netherlands, Belgium and Northern...
Northern European Potato TourNetherlands, Belgium and Northern Germany
Co-operation:• Sharing equipment and facilities• Collaboration• Greater co-operation as demographic ages• Predominantly family labour• Minimal accounting for labour/management• High land value; regular rental cost
Crop production:• Competitive pricing driving attention to detail• Tight rotations• No necessity for Nematicides… Yet!• Fewer preparatory operations
Marketing:• Processing crop delivered ungraded• Weekly pricing for fresh market producers• Use of hedging tools
Insightful tour:• Context with UK market
South Africa54,000 Ha grown per annum:
• Yields 30 to 80t/Ha – Irrigation?• Climate – El Nino drought
2.5 million tonnes production:• Growers 200 to 600 Ha• Limited varietal choice; Mondial, Sifra or…
Marketing:• 50% sold through W/sale markets• Bureaucratic agents system:
• Inspection• Classification
• 20% processed – ‘McCpresence’• Competitive ‘fresh’ retail scene
Potatoes South Africa
Year round production…
SandveldYear round planting/harvesting:
• Very soft sand
Centre pivot Irrigation:• Borehole• First installation 1980’s
Traditionally seed production:• Ware: Mondial, Avalanche, Sifra…
Potatoes importance:• 80% regional agricultural income• Grow/Pack ‘pockets’ to retail/whole sale• Progressive – Prepared foods
• Small scale• Labour intensive
Lamberts Bay PotatoesKookfontein, Lamberts Bay
Joos Englebrecht• 5th generation
Operating outside market system:• 100 Ha mainly Mondial• Selling locally and exporting:
• Angola and Namibia• Export bureaucratic – worthwhile
• Reliance on South Africa• Brand integrity – ‘Tell a story’• Regulated system doesn’t reward quality
Market challengesFocussing on rising social mobility:
• Life Style Measures (LSM) - 1 to 10:• Huge disparities
• Raise consumption in LSM 3 – 7• Competing Starch source – Maize
• Daily purchasing• Emphasising nutritional benefits of potatoes• Increased sophistication/diversity:
• Prepared products
Requirements:• From base product delivering value to prepared meal solutions• Very sensitive market• Increasing demand for accreditation and accountability
ConclusionsCost of production:
• Risen significantly• Profitable
Yield is King!• Varietal selection that delivers value• Which starch source today?
Political/Social challenges:• Employment/Empowerment• No incentive to invest in infrastructure
Growing potatoes in Kenya 150,000 Ha grown per annum:
• Average yield 10t/Ha
800,000 growers
Solanum tuberosum andigena:• Shorter day length• Two crops per annum
Popular variety: “Shangi”:• Where did that come from?
Poor agricultural practice:• Heavy Bacterial Wilt infestation• Minimal inputs• No rotational practice• Replanted ware
International Potato Centre
• Sustained food and nutritional security• Government Development/Charitable funding
Action:• Education programmes• Assisting Government organisations• Co-ordinating certified seed production• European varieties• Increase yield potential
Future developments:• Breeding to improve Nutrition and Health• Crossbreeding and selection• No GM
Kisima FarmsTimau, Nanyuki
Aeroponic mini tuber production:• Multiplication of invitro material• 50 x multiplication• Nutrient and water mist• Hygiene paramount; highly sensitive
Certified seed multiplication:• 2500m above sea level• Hugely fertile, volcanic soils
Educating Customers:• Trials and demonstrations• Outreach services• Best practice• Marketing advice
ConclusionsFuture food security:
• Nutritional responsibilities• Quality certified seed
Education programmes:• Good agricultural practice• Developing rural society
Growing potential:• Perfect opportunity:
• Climate• Market growth
• Entrepreneurial spirit• Preparing for processing
What next…
• November 2016:• Prince Edward Island, Canada• Idaho, Utah and Colorado, US
@rufus_pilgrim