Researchers at the Potato Research Centre at the Royal University of Agriculture announced yesterday that five provinces and the capital itself will become Cambodia’s hub for potato growing after successful tests of verities were recently finished.
The six locations were selected for testing were the university, Kampong Chhang, Battambang, Tboung Khmum, Pursat and Mondulkiri provinces.
Var Sophal, researcher at the Potato Research Centre at the Royal University of Agriculture said that after three months of testing, Pursat, Battambang, and Mondulkiri were the most suitable for growing potatoes. These offered yields of up to 17 to 20 tonnes per hectare while the other locations offered yields of under 17 tonnes per hectares due to their climate and soil.
He said the potato growing season lasted three months, starting from September.
Mr Sophal said that of 12 varieties brought from Thailand, Germany and Iceland, five varieties – fandango, banba, concordia, electra and tornado – were providing high yields from 14 to 20 tonnes per hectare while the rest ranged from seven to 13 tonnes.
“Cambodia imports more than 5,000 tonnes of potato per year from Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan, Australia and America,” Mr Sophal said.
“The reason we push growing potatoes in Cambodia is because potatoes available in the Cambodian market are imported.
“Thus, it is a concern for us. Why can other countries grow them and we cannot? We are an agriculture country.
“We have to seek way to produce potatoes without reliance on external exports,” Mr Sophal said.
Gunter Riethmacher, country director of the German agency GIZ, said potatoes were commonly found in Cambodian dishes as a garnish, in soups and in many fast food restaurants.
He added that since 2016, GIZ has been collaborating with the Potatoes Research Centre in the Royal University of Agriculture to initiate potato trials in areas where the weather is favourable for potato cultivation by bringing ten varieties from Vietnam, Thailand, Scotland and Germany.
Several varieties from Europe appeared to perform better in quality and yield.
“Potatoes have huge potential for Cambodia. It is good for Cambodia to bring and grow more potatoes to generate income for the people,” Mr Riethmacher said.
“What we are trying to do is provide technical training to the private sector and to the university to screen the best varieties for the local conditions.
“There are many varieties for different soil, climate, water situation. We have to select the right varieties for the right provinces and location so that farmers can get the best output,” he added.
