Potato declared strategic food security crop

potatoes in all its input programmes to complement issues of starch and carbohydrates that are critical for the health of the people.
Minister Made was speaking at a meeting attended by seed potato producers at his Ngungunyana offices in Harare.
“We have a directive from Cabinet that the horticulture sector must be extensively supported, especially for the production of crops like potatoes that have a role in boosting food security.
“Other horticultural crops such as coffee, tea, fruit trees, vegetables and flowers will also need to be produced with support from Government.”
Minister Made added that seed producers needed to be protected by strict Government policies against receiving GMO contaminated seeds.
“Seed potato growers will also be included in mechanisation and irrigation development programmes to boost their capacity to produce enough seed for the country,” said Minister Made.
One of the farmers attending the meeting, Mr Ackerman Kevin, thanked Government for taking a strong stance against the importation of GMO material into the country, saying it would undermine the integrity of the local crop. “Government has assured us that it has not changed its policy on the importation of seed potato.
“The Minister has also given us the greenlight to try our own new varieties and perfect the current generation of seed,” said Mr Kevin.
He, however, lamented the absence of affordable finance to fund their operations saying this was stifling efforts to develop new high-yielding varieties as well as expand operations.
The chairman of the Potato Seed Producers Mr Benson Mandikonza said as growers of double A seed potato they were concerned with issues of seed purity greatly.
He said the learning curve for proper potato husbandry required a massive investment of resources both in terms of the human and financial components.
Mr Mandikonza challenged Government to provide extension services to single A potato farmers who did not have much knowledge on the husbandry of potatoes.
“Potatoes require producers to observe strict phytosanitary measures to produce clean and competitive products.