Tuber Boom: the quality of the product has also gone up substantially due to better quality seed potatoes By Petronella Sibeene WINDHOEK Local potato farmers have recorded a bumper harvest this year with an 84 percent increase in yield compared to last year. The good harvest has been attributed to increased production, emanating from experience gained over the years. Horticulture officer for the Agronomic Board, Namene Kalili, said by contrast, Namibian producers harvested 4,404 tonnes of potatoes in 2006 but due to highly successful production techniques and the favourable marketing environment; they have increased their production to 8,094 tonnes for 2007. Potatoes are the most important product in the horticultural consumption basket in Namibia, accounting for 30 per cent of the volume of all fresh fruits and vegetables consumed locally, he said. Potatoes are grown in Outjo, Otjiwarongo, Mariental, along the Orange River, and the Hochfeld area. They are planted usually from July to December when the weather is cool and grow well mainly in loose sand, Kalili said. Although potato cultivation has been in existence for long in some countries, in Namibia it has not been among the traditional crops. With gained experience and growth in interest, farmers have become more engaged in potato production. Kalili said: “Local producers have been planting potatoes for many years, but this (the harvest) is arcane to local consumers.” The greatest challenge in the field remains access to the right seed. Kalili explained that certified potato seeds are imported from South Africa but are usually expensive. Most farmers use the B1 seed variety. Kalili added that local producers would provide 64 percent of the national demand for potatoes this year. This year’s’ harvest has not only increased but the quality of the product has also gone up substantially due to better quality seed potatoes. “A randomly selected bag contained 10.92kg of potatoes. Tuber size ranged from 158g to 552g, with an average size of 260g per potato. Once these undersized or defective tubers have been removed there remained 10.24kg of good quality potatoes,” he explained. The good harvest should bring relief to Namibian consumers, who saw vegetable prices soar by 17 percent from June 2006 to May 2007 and by 50 percent since December 2001. Pricing is extremely competitive at N$2.80/kg farm gate price for a product that retails for as much as N$6.00/kg, said Kalili. Despite being expensive, potatoes remain in high demand in the country. “It is an important product in local consumption and also has export potential. Eetundu harvests 12 tonnes of potatoes per day and 10 tonnes are bought by Faizel, a vegetable supplier,” said Kalili. High transport costs and damage during transportation are mainly responsible for the high consumer price of imported potatoes. Namibia is currently over-dependent on its fruit and vegetable imports from neighbouring South Africa. The country imports more than 80 percent thereof and this means only salaried workers can afford fruit and vegetables. The development potential for potatoes is enormous, with Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Angola and the DRC all being potato importers and the global demand for potatoes increasing by 13 percent annually.