Potato World vision Licence fees necessary for investment in varieties The cultivation of potatoes has seen enormous changes in recent years. Machinery has become bigger and more complex. As a result of rules and regulations, the fertilising strategy has been adapted. The inspection system has been changed by the arrival of the BioPlex realtime PCR technology. Variety development is mainly carried out through the production of mini tubers assisted by a patented system. But we are not there yet. As a consequence of intensive cultivation, soil-bound diseases are lurking and ready to pounce as soon as the opportunity arises. While it was possible in the old days to breed varieties such as Bintje, which is susceptible to all the potato diseases under the sun, today a breeder must breed varieties with as many characteristics as a centipede has legs. Because the structure of the soil in the plot compares with that of the headlands of old, varieties must be resistant to various kinds of stress, which can cause symptoms such as second growth, Verticillium wilt and bacterial infection. Besides, most growing areas hold a wide range of nematodes, which can usually cause damage in more than one crop. Furthermore, stress causes the quality to vary, which may result in differences in dry matter build up and cooking and frying quality. This is just a random dip into all the problems we may be confronted with when growing potatoes. All these characteristics need to be combined to come to a modern potato that is resistant to many diseases, is a qualitative top product, and yields approximately a hundred tons. In order to reach this, we are assisted by new technology, which makes it possible to localise genes and build these into varieties. However, this requires high investments, which can only be recouped by large-scale usage and respect for the regulations regarding plantbreeders’ rights. Let’s be happy with this tool, because it’s from the licence fees that new investments can be made that give breeders the space to develop those necessary varieties that are suited for growing, processing and consuming. Jacob Eising Den Hartigh Breeder PW-ACTUA HZPC and Mahindra in Indian joint venture HZPC Holland BV has signed an agreement with the Mahindra Group in Chandigarh, India, for the establishment of a joint venture. The aim of the new collaboration is to enhance the cultivation of seed potatoes in the region and, if possible, the export of Indian seed potatoes. Mahindra started cultivating seed potatoes in 2005 with the aim of enhancing the cultivation of seed potatoes grown in the Indian state of Punjab. The company is now producing a substantial amount of mini tubers in Palampur with an annual turnover of 16.7 billion euros. The six hundred affiliated farmers are producing seed from these mini tubers on a contractual basis. With this, they have improved their financial result, which has increased structurally by 10 to 15 percent in 9 years’ time, according to HZPC. In the new joint venture, HZPC has 40 and the agricultural division of Mahindra 60 percent of the shares. Nineteen new varieties HZPC has been collaborating with the Indian company for some years now. The breeding station in Metslawier has already added nineteen new varieties to the variety range of Mahindra. Moreover, the company also multiplies local varieties.’ In order to surpass ourselves, we need to invest in new technology. We are therefore proud that we’ve been able to reach this agreement with HZPC. This supports our farmers and opens the world market for them’, says Ashok Sarma, director of the agricultural division of Mahindra. According to Gerard Backx, managing director of HZPC, the Indian economy is upcoming in the world. Indian potato production increased from 34.4 million tons to 42.5 million tons in the crop years 2008 to 2013. ‘With this step, India has entered the worldwide market of potatoes, as yet within the Indian region. For a start, HZPC provides nineteen varieties, which will do very well in the Indian states where Mahindra has a widespread distribution network for seed potatoes. Sub sequently, our joint venture opens the international seed potato market for these farmers’, says Backx. ● ‘The joint Indian company finally opens the international seed potato market for Indian farmers’, says HZPC director Gerard Backx. Potato World 2014 • number 3 9 Pagina 8
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