5 000ha put under potatoes

Edgar Vhera

At least 5 000 hectares of Irish potatoes have been planted as Government pushes for import substitution to ensure self-sufficiency.

A target of 9 750 hectares was earmarked for potato production this winter season.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary, Professor Obert Jiri recently toured Ruargo Farm and revealed that of the targeted 9 750 hectares, farmers had put 5 000 ha under the crop.

Meanwhile Kutsaga has introduced a 30 percent discount for seed potato to fulfil the Government’s set winter potato production target. This development will enable farmers to intensify planting and ensure enough supply of table potatoes during the festive season.

Government declared potato as a strategic crop to enhance food security at household and national level and instituted a number of measures, chief among them a ban on table potato imports since 2010.

This was a deliberate measure with the objective of protecting the local potato farmers from unfair competition from cheap imports from neighbouring countries.

The country requires about 25 000 tonnes of seed potato per annum to meet local demand.

Kutsaga under the Zimbabwe Potato Micro-Propagation Association (ZPMA), has been designated as a certifying potato seed agent mandated to produce and market potato seed.

The ZPMA has contracted potato seed growers in suitable areas to assist in the seed multiplication programme to cut the shortage of the potato seed.

Low supply of seed potato had resulted in the country importing 60 percent of its requirement.

ZPMA commenced the seed multiplication programme in 2019 with production spreading to Norton, Centenary, Goromonzi, Kadoma, Mazowe/Concession, Mvurwi, Norton and Wedza in 2020.

In 2021 production expanded to Lalapanzi, Gweru, Mwenezi, Middle-Sabi, Mhangura, and Mt. Darwin. Potato farmers are now collaborating with agro-processors through off take arrangements for enhanced production, market access and sustainability.