Picasso variety champion during Potato Ukraine 2024
Picasso variety champion during Potato Ukraine 2024
The Agrico variety Picasso was voted as best (highest yielding) potato variety during Potato Ukraine 2024. Picasso gave high yields despite difficult weather conditions during the growing season. Other Agrico-varieties also scored high marks. Among top 5 varieties, 3 Agrico varieties: Picasso, Ranomi, Spectra.
Potato Ukraine 2024 took place on Aug. 30 at the Eco Tour farm in Volyn region, northwestern Ukraine. 65 new and promising potato varieties from leading seedpotato companies were presented. Among them, 8 Agrico-varieties stood out positively for their high yield and stress resistance. These varieties also received high marks for their good taste, Agrico Ukraine announced.
At number 1 ended Picasso. This Agrico variety realized a yield of 92 tons per hectare despite difficult weather conditions during the growing season. However, Ranomi, Spectra, Paradiso and Fontane varieties also did good business. Ranomi and Spectra ended up with 74 tons per hectare, while Paradiso and Fontane harvested 54 tons per hectare.
In extremely difficult and dry conditions, the Picasso, Alouette, Corazon and Fontane varieties showed that they score high on drought resistance.
Support for Ukraine's potato industry
Carolien Spaans, agricultural counsellor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Ukraine, spoke at Potato Ukraine about support for Ukraine's potato sector. The Netherlands has been supporting the potato sector in Ukraine for many years - from improving cultivation technology, storage, institutional capacity building to realizing export potential.
Currently, it is important to establish a strategy for the development of the potato sector, given the challenges due to the war, loss of infrastructure and logistical complications, Carolien Spaans stressed. The experience of the Netherlands can be useful for representatives of the Ukrainian sector in setting priorities and establishing cooperation with international organizations, the agricultural counsellor said.
Potato cultivation by households and industrial enterprises in Ukraine fell 36 percent in the first year of the war compared to pre-war figures. The situation continues to deteriorate, said Director Mykola Furdyha, Director of the Institute of Potato Research at Potato Ukraine 2024. He does not expect the situation to improve much for the time being.
Agrico is one of the parties supporting the potato sector in Ukraine. Agrico Ukraine is the market leader in seed potatoes in Ukraine and a representative of Agrico NL for almost 20 years.
