The total Belgian potato stock of harvest 2024 was estimated at over 2.5 million tonnes in early February. This is comparable to the multi-year average. However, the share of free potatoes is larger than in previous years.
During a press conference, the director of Plant Health, Rosa Lazala, announced that the disease maintains “its status as a quarantine pest absent in the country,” due to phytosanitary surveillance and the country’s climatic conditions.
The mayor of this municipality, Wilson Mamani, reported that the achievement is the result of the support of President Luis Arce, who invested in the technological irrigation system program.
To monitor progress in potato development, monitoring and preparation work for harvesting in the Yaqui Valley is ongoing, which has shown that progress is being made according to schedule.
Heavy snowfall has affected 126 hectares of crops in the province of Huamalíes, causing irreparable losses in potato, olluco and barley crops.
Swiss farmers are struggling with massive potato crop failures. They are now putting their hopes in genetic engineering. The plans are also attracting criticism.
There are already contracts signed with industry with a price starting at 0.21 euros/kilo, which creates doubts among farmers due to the difficulty in saving costs.
The golden potato nematode can decimate potato crops by 100% and also attack tomato, eggplant, chili and some weed crops.
