The Sunday Mail
Seed potato production has been limited in Zimbabwe due to the precautionary measures that are observed in the process.
However, this is both a lucrative venture and in line with the Zim-Asset goal of national food security.
Prior to land reforms, commercial potato production – much like with tobacco – was the preserve of large-scale white farmers.
But this is changing and in the tobacco sector, mostly black farmers have this year produced a crop worth more than US$600 million.
The same with potato growing, which has seen more indigenous farmers venturing into this sector.
Some have gone a step further by diversifying from table potatoes to seed production to rival traditional mainstays Seed Potato Company, Kutsaga and Prime Seed.
One farmer who has taken a lead in this is young Dakarai Mapuranga of Mhandara Farm in Headlands, Manicaland.
Mr Mapuranga was allocated the farm in 2007 and started by growing commercial maize before realising that he could do more for Zimbabwe’s land reform by entering potato seed production.
“I thought of potato seed production on the realisation that not many farmers were into this field as most of us preferred producing table potatoes,” said Mr Dakarai at his farm on June 22, where he was hosting a field day.
Currently, he has 23 hectares under seed potato, expecting a yield of between 20 and 30 tonnes per ha.
He is growing three seed varieties, namely Mondial, Darius and Valla. The yields from these varieties differ from area to area as well as according to management and expertise applied from planting to harvesting.
Mr Mapuranga said as with all farming ventures, success was measured on yield per ha.
He said it was important for growers to consider their soil types before getting into potato seed production, with the best being slightly acidic (a pH of between 5 and 7), loose and well-drained.
The crop should also be rotated, with farmers urged not to grow it on the same spot for a period ranging from three to four years.
Planting is recommended only after the sprouting of tubers. Sprouting can be done by placing the tubers in wooden trays where they would be exposed to light, with temperatures ranging between 60 and 70 degrees Celsius.
The more the shoots are on the tuber during sprouting period, the more the plants a farmer expects from a single tuber.
Therefore, farmers should handle tubers with care when planting to avoid shoots from falling.
Potatoes are planted in rows and farmers must dig trenches that are six to eight centimetres deep.
When planting, shoots on each tuber should face upward before completely covering the tuber with soil.
And whenever in doubt, farmers should consult local research and extension workers.
Irrigating the crop is a key element to best results with farmers expected to keep the field well watered throughout the growing period, especially during flowering and soon after. This is critical as plants at flowering stage will be creating tubers and thus a steady water supply is crucial for high yields.
Farmers must stop irrigating when leaves dry up or turn yellow.
Like tomatoes, potatoes are easily affected by frost.
Storage of the harvested crop is critical and it has to be in a cool, dry and as well-ventilated dark room, with recommended temperatures ranging between 35 and 40 degrees Celsius.
