Argentina: Buenos Aires potato producer expands production and modernizes field to supply new factory

Located in the municipality of Comandante Nicanor Otamendi, Walter Hernández’s El Parque Papas farm is an example of agricultural modernization and industrial integration. Covering 10,000 hectares (2,000 owned and 8,000 leased), the farm maintains an annual crop rotation, with approximately 20% of the area dedicated to potatoes and 80% to cover crops and legumes.  

Of all production, 67% is destined for processing, 34% for seeds, and the remainder for fresh consumption. Those that do not meet the required quality are sent to mash factories or, ultimately, to animal feed. 

With the arrival of the new Lamb Weston plant in the region, the proportion of potatoes destined for processing has increased significantly. "We used to have 5,000 tons destined for processing, and now we have 12,000. We anticipate that demand will continue to grow, and we could even double our production to meet it," says Hernández.  

In addition to serving the local market with factories in the Mar del Plata region, Parque Papas also exports potatoes directly to factories in Brazil, with trucks that are loaded on the property and then shipped directly to Brazilian territory. 

Walter Hernández has also invested in modernizing the farm, which includes a potato washing station to meet industrial demand, electrical improvements, and a solar power plant, currently capable of generating more energy than the property consumes, with the goal of reaching 100% solar energy by 2026. 

Production combines advanced international technology with precision farming practices, including GPS and autopilot on all machines, ensuring efficient use of soil and inputs, while reducing post-harvest stress and preserving product quality. 

Sustainability is another pillar of the property. Initiatives include water recycling, which reduces water consumption during the washing process by 90%, low-carbon fertilizers, biodiversity conservation areas, and reforestation projects with native species, which contribute to soil preservation, air purification, and erosion reduction. 

With 75 employees, 15 storage chambers—10 for consumption and 5 for seed—and expansion capacity, the farm has established itself as a model of technology and sustainability in potato production, guaranteeing supply to the industry and maintaining growth in line with international market demands.