Potatoes SA projects in the Sandveld and Eastern Cape

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The past few years saw Potatoes SA launching various projects in the Sandveld and Eastern Cape, the goal being to enable potato producers to take better and more informed decisions. These projects include the renewal of the Sandveld aphid project, as well as the erection of weather stations in the Elliot, Ugie and Maclear districts.

These initiatives are all aimed at supporting producers in their daily decision-taking and to promote industry sustainability.

Aphid monitoring in the Sandveld

The monitoring of aphids in the Sandveld is a project that has been a valuable source of information for producers for many years. Weekly reports regarding the presence of different aphid species kept producers abreast of not only the level of infestation on their farms, but also provided them with a more encompassing view of the entire Sandveld situation. These weekly reports allowed producers to take better decisions in terms of when and how to intervene. This ultimately benefitted production over the long term.

Since 2022, no such reports were generated and Potatoes SA in conjunction with InteliGro decided to revive the project at the request of the Sandveld Potato Producers’ Organisation (Sako). Excellent support was received from the local producer community and other role-players. This means weekly data can now be collated again and send to a central point for analysis to identify the aphid species and numbers present. This data will be freely available to producers to assist them in the timely management of aphid infestations.

Currently there are four monitoring stations located in the Sandveld, from Malmesbury to Leipoldtville. However, should the demand for information grow, consideration will be given to the possible expansion of the current monitoring network. It will assist with the monitoring of aphid pressure across a more extensive area, affording producers an important head start in terms of pest control. The support of InteliGro ensures the collection of accurate and trustworthy data.

Eastern Cape weather stations

Another important project launched in the Elliot, Ugie and Maclear areas is the erection of five weather stations to improve disease forecasts and management in the potato industry. These weather stations are driven by solar power and maintained by local producers who volunteered their involvement. The project entails co-operation between Potatoes SA, Villa, which supplied the weather stations, Metos SA, which handles the management, installation, software and forecasts, and the producers who house the stations on their farms.

These weather stations monitor important environmental aspects such as temperature, humidity, and other climate conditions that could promote the development of potato diseases. The data that is collected plays a key role in the forecasting of possible disease outbreaks and the implementation of proactive measures. This information will be available to all producers involved in the project, and will assist them in putting the right control measures in place before a disease outbreak occurs.

The longer the weather stations work, the more accurate the forecasts will become. This will assist producers in taking long-term decisions regarding planting time, irrigation, and disease control. The technology and data provided by the stations will serve as a valuable resource in ensuring a sustainable potato industry in the Eastern Cape.

Trials and cultivar development

Yet another important focus of Potatoes SA is the development of potato cultivars, especially in the Ugie area. Trials are being conducted in conjunction with potato producers and seed suppliers to identify the best cultivars for different climate and soil conditions.

The goal of these trials is to develop new cultivars that are not only disease resistant, but can deliver better yields under specific conditions.

It is very important for the potato industry to not become dependent on existing varieties only, and that new varieties are constantly being tested and improved. These trials are essential to the sustainability of the industry and offer producers the opportunity to select the best possible cultivars for their areas.

Co-operation and sustainability

As regional co-ordinator I wish to express my gratitude for the support I received during my first year at Potatoes SA. I also want to thank each and every role-player for their contribution to the success of these projects. Co-operation allows us to provide more accurate and sustainable information, while helping producers to take better decisions for a more sustainable industry. The future is certainly a promising one. – Francois Strauss

For more information, contact Francois Strauss at email francois@potatoes.co.za.