THE ORIGINAL HOME OF THE POTATO HAS SEEN A 10% DROP IN PRODUTIVITY IN RECENT YEARS AS A NUMBER OF FACTORS TAKE THEIR TOLL.
PERU, the leading potato producer in Latin America, has seen a decline in production in recent years.
Despite annual production increases, the Development Studies Network (REDES), a Peruvian academic organisation, has identified a decline of approximately 10% in 2023, attributing this to climatic challenges and pests such as potato worm, known locally as “papakuro”.
Now ranking 87th globally in productivity per hectare, there is a current push in the country towards adopting better technology, including fertilisers and genetically-improved seeds, to enhance resistance against pests and diseases.
Training for farmers on pest prevention and control is also seen as crucial. Such initiatives aim to improve potato production efficiency across different geographical areas within Peru, addressing both immediate and structural challenges facing the sector.
These issues were highlighted on International Potato Day last week by AméricaEconomía, which has been analysing business, economics and finance news in Latin America since 1986.
In Peru, 64% of potato harvests are carried out in dryland conditions. That is, they are irrigated entirely with natural rainfall and not with technical irrigation systems.
Crops are therefore severely affected when prolonged periods of low rainfall (droughts) occur.
REDES Economist César García said: “In a context affected by the El Niño Coastal Phenomenon and droughts during 2023, potato production fell almost 10% after good results in previous years. This tuber has great relevance in our food industry and also in the economy, generating thousands of jobs. However, to ensure good results, it is necessary to address the problems that directly impact producer families and their income.”
Between 2022 and 2023, Puno was the area that suffered the greatest impact from prolonged droughts. Production increased from 998,000 tons in 2022 to 596,000 in 2023, a figure comparable to 2011 production.
Another aspect that needs to be addressed is its level of productivity, Cesar said, stating that during the 2023 agricultural campaign, more than 320,000 hectares of land were cultivated, reaching an average productivity of 16.9 tons per hectare.
This performance placed Peru as one of the least productive countries per cultivated hectare, ranking 87th worldwide, according to figures from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
In contrast, countries like Argentina, Brazil or Mexico have a productivity above 30 tons per hectare.
“In view of the impact caused by these phenomena, and considering the low productivity we have compared to other countries, it is necessary to commit to the use of appropriate technology, which includes the use of fertilizers and improved seeds of good genetic quality, resistant to pests. and diseases,” Cesar said.
Source and photo: AméricaEconomía
