Irlanda: Ireland strives to supply 100% of local potato seed demand in three years

This was noted by Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Karl Samuda, in an interview with JIS News at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the in vitro propagation of Irish potato seeds programme yesterday at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices.

The minister pointed out that the country spends over US$4 million annually to import 90 per cent of Irish potato seeds, and that the programme is a “step in the right direction” towards achieving self-sufficiency.

“We are seeking now to move from 85 per cent production against the demand to 100 per cent. I am hoping we can do that within three years,” Samuda said.

Under the MoU, the objectives are the provision of equipment to develop better control of pests and diseases; the improvement of seed quality; independence and control of seed availability; and increasing the yield per hectare.

Samuda said the sector aims to increase the 1,000 hectares of crop planted in 2015-2016 to 1,200 hectares for the 2016-2017 crop year.

The cost of producing micro tubers locally is approximately US$1.4 million, whereas imported micro tubers cost US$ 2.4 million.