Only irrigated farms yielded potatoes this year

Large potato producers that had the means to irrigate their crops collected this year even up to 30 tonnes per hectare of local varieties, and 60 tonnes of foreign varieties. In the south, where the drought has been more severe and where irrigation systems are less developed, producers collected subpar yields. Contacted by Info-Prim Neo, Petru Iliev, head of the Potato and Vegetables Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, member of the Horticultural Institute, said that some of the producers may even boast with yields up to 75 tonnes per hectare, on fields cultivated with foreign varieties. However, says Petru Iliev, if there are no irrigation means, money should not be spent on foreign varieties. Producers must adapt to the existing conditions. Petru Iliev noted that potato producers from the central and north regions lead an informal competition. Northern producers, however, have certain advantages, including the geographic position and proper temperatures. “The potato crops prefer moderate temperatures, between 25-26 °C, and more humidity. In the north, where the annual precipitation rate is higher by 100 millimeters compared to other areas in the country, the potato yields are also larger”, said Iliev. The north mostly cultivates potatoes for tardy consumption, which resist through the entire cold period of the year. Smaller producers, from the central regions, should switch focus on also planting late consumption potatoes, since their possibility of storing their production are more restricted, and, if they don’t ensure good storage conditions, much of the merchandise is lost, added the department head. According to Iliev, in the last 10 years, Moldova progressed the most in potato production. Current quantities suffice for completely covering local consumption. Late varieties have better prospects on the local market, yet this segment remains unexploited. Regarding this year’s price for potatoes, Petru Iliev said that it may rise, but will not be higher than 6 lei per kilo. This year’s potato yield is half of what it was last year.