0
Home
News
Directory
E-newsletter
Magazine
Events
Data
AgReport
Subscribe
Farmers from Magallanes, Chile, receive certified frost-free potato seeds
Nov. 14, 2016
It took more than 40 years before farmers in the southern zone were given seed to produce potatoes. The practice, which was usual before 1973, is now gaining strength again, thanks to the program "Recovery of production and health of the potato in Magallanes," an initiative financed by the Regional Government and implemented by the Institute of Agricultural Research of Chile (INIA).
About 70 farmers, who are National Agricultural Development Institute (INDAP) users, benefit from the highly frost-free and disease-free seeds. Under favorable conditions, the new seed could increase the harvest from six to 40 tons of potatoes per hectare in Patagonia. The advantages are highlighted by the mayor, authorities and peasants.
Each farmer receives three bags with 50 kg of seeds of different varieties of potatoes such as Desiree, Karú-INIA, Pukará-INIA and Patagonia-INIA. They are delivered after confirming that the fields of INDAP users were free of pests such as the Globedera pallida that affects a major part of the crops of the area and reduces their yields.
Jorge Flies, Mayor of Magallanes, explained that the project was done at a cost of 200 million pesos over a period of two years. It joined other programs funded by the regional government, such as the technology and transfer of INDAP, with a contribution in excess of 3 billion pesos; and another presented by the Seremi of Agriculture, for billions of pesos, both in the process of execution.
"The regional government, together with its council, is firmly committed to supporting Peasant Family Agriculture. Today, we are delivering potato seeds and at the same time recovering and dignifying small-scale agriculture," Flies said.
For his part, the regional director of INIA Kampenaike, Claudio Pérez, highlighted the project and seed quality produced at the Experimental Center of the institution, located 60 kilometers north of Punta Arenas.
"In Magallanes, people consume a lot of potatoes, but they never worry about its quality or source. Since they are not certified, there is a risk of increase in diseases that lead to deterioration of its quality and production," Pérez explained.
Etel Latorre, of the Agriculture Ministry, stressed the commitment of the regional government towards the agriculture of Patagonia. "For more than 40 years, farmers had not received certified seeds from the government; this strong and historic commitment to agriculture will benefit the entire community to receive quality, healthy and safe food."
Víctor Vargas, the regional director of INDAP, endorsed the idea. "Now with the help of new actors and institutions that contribute to the resources, we can progress faster. The road has already been set and agriculture has tremendous potential to grow."
The next crop with certified potatoes would be coming out in April next year. "We are grateful and appreciate this effort from all institutions. It is now up to us to plant the seeds and hope that the results will be optimal in increasing production and improving the quality of potatoes in Patagonia," Francisco Patino, a farmer said.
Source: AgroNews
More from AgroNews
Change
Hot TopicSubscribe
| Subscribe Email: | * | |
| Name: | ||
| Mobile Number: | ||
Comment
0/1200
NEWSLETTER