Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe has achieved self-sufficiency in table potato production, shifting from importing foreign spuds to relying entirely on domestic supply. 

The crop is primarily grown by smallholder and commercial farmers in high-altitude regions like Mashonaland East and Manicaland, with seed potatoes strictly quarantined and cultivated in the cool climate of Nyanga.

Potatoes were well established in contemporary Zimbabwe by the early twentieth century. In 1911, variety trials were undertaken with recorded yields up to 11.5 tons per hectare (t/ha).

Over the years, potato has become one of the most popular crops in Zimbabwe with every sector from small to large-scale farmers getting in on the act.

This has been encouraged by eating habits that are gradually changing as maize is no longer staple food for many urban households.