Irish support for the distribution of seed potatoes to Ukraine

Ukraine is the among the top five potato producers in the world and the bulk of its production is small-holder farmer based.

Previously 10,000–15,000t of certified seed per annum were imported from other European countries. However, since the outbreak of war, the normal structures of seed potato supply in Ukraine have been broken and the import of certified seed input stocks has been severely hampered.

With minimal importation of fresh seed, the overall quality of seed potato stocks in Ukraine will be degraded, which will lead to a significant reduction of potato yields over time. To maintain access to healthy seed stocks and boost the yields of ware crops, it is imperative that farmers have access to imported certified seed potatoes to replenish their own planting material.

Today, the Minster for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue announced that his Department will provide funding of €450,000 to a UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) project supporting potato farming in Ukraine. 

The project will involve the transport of 500t of certified seed potatoes to Ukraine. FAO Ukraine will distribute these seed potatoes (50 kg per farmer) to 10,000 highly vulnerable small-holder farmers in rural areas at the frontline of the illegal Russian aggression in eastern and southern Ukraine.

The seed potatoes have been grown in the Netherlands and France by growers for Irish company IPM Potato Ltd.  Two of the varieties - Electra and Tornado – were bred by the Teagasc Potato Breeding Programme. The third variety is Sensation, which is a Dutch variety.

Noting that the seed potato varieties have been cultivated especially for agro-ecological conditions in Ukraine, the Minister added:

“In addition to saving 10% of the harvest as seed potatoes for the next season, this volume of quality seed potatoes has the potential to produce up to 7,000t of ware potatoes. This will yield the average annual consumption of potatoes for 45,000-50,000 people per year. This FAO project will support efforts to build back agricultural capacity and to assist rural families to resume production for their own household consumption and, in doing so, to meet their immediate food needs."