The number of Peruvian farmers engaged in producing potato has increased from 600,000 in 1994 to 730,000 in 2012, according to figures released from the 3rd National Agricultural Census (Cenagro).
"In 18 years there are 130,000 new producers who are betting on the potato, which means that every year there are 7,200 new potato producers; 7,000 for each of the 19 regions that grow potatoes," said Juan Quevedo, high-level official at Peru’s Agriculture and Irrigation Ministry (Minagri).
The potato specialist stressed that in the last ten years the average yield of potatoes has gone from less than 12 tons per acre to 14.4 tons per hectare.
“This strong performance was fueled by the increase to the quality of the potato varieties released by the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (INIA),” said Quevedo. “Which adds to producer's development, which has enabled them to make better agronomic crop management”.
Furthermore, he said the entry of a new variety to the consumer market takes about six years, freshplaza.com reported.
Likewise, Minagri’s official noted the per capita consumption of potato in Peru had increased sustainably and was currently standing at 85 kilos per person per year.
The goal set by the MINAGRI for 2020 is the rate reaches 90 kilos per capita. It is an ambitious goal, which would mean that, in six years, every person in the Andean nation would eat potatoes three times a day.
(END) INT/LOG
Published: 6/7/2014