News on Potato Defects and Diseases from Africa

Celebration as Nigeria harvests first batch of biotech-potatoes
December 20, 2022

Nigeria harvests first batch of biotech-potatoes

Elder Isaiah Buwah is growing potatoes for forty years in the Plateau State, North Central Nigeria. Having seen the impact from late blight first hand, he truly enjoyed the harvest of the first batch of - resistant - biotech potatoes.
Local seed potato research promising in Zimbabwe.
November 24, 2022

Local seed potato research promising in Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe Potato Micro-propagation Association (ZPMA) has spearheaded the resuscitation of seed potato production since this stalled around 2008. The current mandate is to substitute imported seed potato.
Farmers upbeat about new potato variety
July 26, 2022

Potato farmers in Rwanda upbeat about new variety

Potato farmers have welcomed the government’s on-going trials on the use of agricultural biotechnology in producing a new Irish potato variety resistant to the devastating late blight disease.
South Africa Potato Production Receives Added Protection with New Generation Fungicide of Corteva Agroscience
May 20, 2022

South Africa Potato Production Receives Added Protection with New Generation Fungicide of Corteva Agroscience

Corteva Agriscience launched Zorvec Encantia, a new fungicide that specifically targets late blight, a detrimental pathogen currently compromising potato growth in South Africa. The solution, based on Zorvec active, is the first member of a novel class of fungicides.
Smartphone app Nuru helps farmers control potato and sweet potato diseases
April 14, 2022

Smartphone app Nuru helps farmers control potato and sweetpotato diseases

Free smartphone app Nuru helps African potato farmers to detect late blight (Phytophthora) and early blight (Alternaria) since 2021
Paper made from banana waste prevents potato cyst nematode damage
March 08, 2022

Paper made from banana waste prevents potato cyst nematode damage

With potato production in East Africa under increasing threat from the invasive and highly destructive potato cyst nematode (PCN) pest, an organic technology developed from banana plant waste material may well be the ultimate rescue.
Nigeria wants to be among the top three potato producers in the world by 2025
November 23, 2021

Nigeria wants to be among the top three potato producers in the world by 2025

Mustapha Baba Shehuri, minister of state for agriculture and rural development, says Nigeria will be among the world’s top three potato producing countries by 2025.
Monitoring improves potato tuber moth control
September 23, 2021

Monitoring improves potato tuber moth control

Potato tuber moth can be a potato producer’s nightmare. Fortunately, InteliGro’s extremely effective monitoring system not only help to control this pest successfully but allows producers to manage risks and reduce input costs over time.
Farmer in Zimbabwe sues local potato chip manufacturer Cairns Foods over defective seed potatoes
September 19, 2021

Farmer in Zimbabwe sues local potato chip manufacturer Cairns Foods over defective potato seed

Patrick Makuzwa has approached the High Court seeking an order canceling his contract with Cairns Foods and for the food company to compensate him to the value of USD 46 789 50.
Researchers identified and characterized potato dry rot and potato wilt pathogens in Algeria
January 15, 2021

Researchers identified and characterized potato dry rot and potato wilt pathogens in Algeria

Among the 152 isolates collected from symptomatic potato plants and tubers in different provinces in Algeria, 13 species of Fusarium and Neocosmospora were identified.
Why a new potato variety could be a game-changer for farmers in East Africa
December 17, 2020

Why a new potato variety could be a game-changer for farmers in East Africa

Imagine being a potato farmer in Ethiopia, Kenya, or Nigeria. On a small piece of land, which you depend on for food and income, you have spent months planting, weeding, and watering.
World Potato Congress Inc. Webinar: 'Above and Below Ground: Diseases threatening sustainable potato production'
October 21, 2020

World Potato Congress Inc. Webinar: 'Above and Below Ground: Diseases threatening sustainable potato production'

The World Potato Congress is pleased to be beginning its Fall webinar series on November 12, 2020, with Professor Jacquie van der Waals from the University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Dealing with Potato Cyst nematodes in East Africa
September 10, 2020

Dealing with Potato Cyst nematodes in East Africa

Demand for potatoes in eastern Africa has been growing steadily. This growth is driven in part by rising demand from the fast food industry and for processing into high value products such as crisps, chips and starch. Despite an increase of 60% in the area of cultivated land, production has been declining in Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda.
Disease resistant potato seeds launched in Dedza
July 09, 2019

Disease resistant potato seeds launched in Dedza

In an effort to combat diseases which have been hampering potato yields for the past two years in Dedza, International Potato Centre (CIP) recently handed over disease resistant Irish potato seeds to ten farmers in the district.
Bad seed potato imports hit Kenyan farmers ahead of the rainy season
March 26, 2019

Bad seed potato imports hit Kenyan farmers ahead of the rainy season

Kenyan farmers are facing a shortage of certified seed potatoes following the rejection of 78 percent of the planting materials that had been imported last year.
Potato Farmers in Uganda are waiting for new GM 'Victoria'
July 07, 2018

Potato Farmers in Uganda are waiting for new GM 'Victoria'

Victoria - a popular local potato variety in Uganda - is extremely susceptible to potato Late Blight disease, but a resistant GM version of this variety has been developed.
With testing almost complete, it is up to the government biosafety regulatory authorities in Uganda.
Three new seed potato varieties from the UK recommended for export to Kenya
July 01, 2018

Three new seed potato varieties from the UK recommended for export to Kenya

Based on extensive trials (two years, three separate farms, ten potato varieties) in a joint effort of AHDB, James Hutton Ltd, SASA and Seeds2B Africa (part of the Syngenta Foundation) three GB potato varieties have been recommended for release in Kenya.
Russia partially lifts ban on potato exports from Egypt
June 06, 2018

Russia partially lifts ban on potato exports from Egypt

Russia has agreed to ease a ban on potato exports from eight farming areas in Egypt, allowing shipments to resume from June 6.

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