The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) is dedicated to enhancing potato production in South Africa and empowering small-scale farmers within the industry.
In this episode, Dr Lerato Matsaunyane, the research team manager overseeing farmer support, commercialisation, and enterprise development at the ARC, highlights the successful outcomes of their potato breeding programme.
The Agricultural Research Council’s groundbreaking breeding programme is not just cultivating potatoes but cultivating futures for small-scale farmers. This initiative focuses on sharing theoretical knowledge and practical skills, benefitting farmers, and advancing the sector.
“The make-up of the farmers that we have currently [in the programme], they range from food security farmers, farmers who plant in school gardens, at clinics, and public areas. There are also farmers who have relatively larger areas to produce on.”
Navigating a tough industry
She further talks about the programme’s goals and how it helps potato farmers make the most of their investments. Additionally, she highlights the importance of sharing information, especially for small-scale growers, to help them succeed in the industry.
“The potato industry in terms of production is quite pricey. There is a couple of thousand Rands that you need in your pocket to buy potato seeds and chemicals to protect your crop. We provide them [with] information on what is a potato and what goes into producing potatoes,” she explains.
In this episode, she also discusses:
- How the programme is focused on new-era farmers; and
- How the best practices are introduced to potato growers.
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