Spain: Calls to intensify controls on seed potatoes

Potatoes are the main irrigated crop in the province of Segovia, covering approximately 1,800 hectares. For this reason, they require special attention from the government.

It is important to emphasize the quality of the Segovian potato and its relevance to the population, given that it is a basic necessity product that we must take care of with dedication to guarantee its availability and excellence.

In recent years, several diseases affecting this crop have been detected, leading to significant decreases in yields and even total losses. In many cases, the origin of these diseases is not entirely clear, although it is suspected that they may be related to contaminated or unhealthy seeds.

Given this situation, Asaja Segovia has urged the Regional Government of Castile and León, specifically the Plant Health Department in Segovia, to intensify controls on potato seeds. The aim is to identify contaminated batches before they reach the fields, as this represents not only a significant decrease in production but also a high economic cost for farmers.

The organization also requests the implementation of stricter measures targeting companies that market seed potatoes. These actions are essential to prevent defective seeds from reaching farmers, thus protecting both the viability of the crop and the agricultural sector’s economy.