Spain: A project is launched to enhance the value of potato cultivation in Tenerife

The councilor responsible for the area, Valentín González, points out that “this is an initiative that arises from the coordinated work between the Cabildo, the GAR Tenerife, the Government of the Canary Islands and the University of La Laguna, which under the name ’Potato Agrosystems on the island of Tenerife’, aims to define and value the different production systems of this tuber.”

González emphasizes that “the project is being carried out in collaboration with generations of local farmers, from both the south and the north of the island” and will consist of the study and definition of the different crop varieties, the altitudes at which they are produced, and the farmers’ cultural practices, among other issues.”

In this way, during the next few months, the different traditional producing areas will be defined geographically, agronomically and socially: the middle and high elevations of the Chasna region, Vilaflor, the Anaga massif, the Acentejo region, the La Orotava Valley, the area between Icod El Alto and La Guancha and the Teno massif.

According to González, “potato cultivation in Tenerife has great historical, economic and cultural importance, becoming a symbol of the island’s agricultural and gastronomic identity.”

The Primary Sector Councillor concludes that “farms linked to potato cultivation are not only relevant due to their importance in economic activity, but also contribute to the sustainability of the rural landscape of Tenerife.”

Island Potato Plan

Valentín González recalls that “at the beginning of this year, we launched an Island Potato Plan, after 10 years without this document, which was agreed upon with all the agents of the sector and the agricultural organizations, with the objective of addressing the problems of the third most important crop in Tenerife: the potato.”

The Tenerife Island Potato Plan establishes a framework of actions that allow the restructuring of the potato sector on the island in the areas of production and marketing, providing stability and improving the competitiveness of the sector, as well as increasing the self-sufficiency rate.”