24000 tonnes of potatoes this year in Mauritius

The Mauritius Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Federation (MAMCF) has set a target of achieving self-sufficiency in potatoes and produce 24,000 tonnes this year.

This was stated by MAMCF president Krit Beeharry.

The Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security also aims to achieve self-sufficiency in onion and garlic. Beeharry said that there will be early harvesting if the seeds are planted in October and harvest will begin by December.

He said that the 200 acres of land under potato cultivation in the region of upper Plaines Wilhems has increased to 500 acres to date under the Booster Scheme introduced by the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security.

“Today, with 250 additional acres of land, extending to Côte d’Or, we can produce a surplus of 2,500 tonnes of potatoes in this region,” said Beeharry. However, the president of the MAMCF outlined problems such as leaf miners and bacterial weeds that could hinder yield.

“The 143 tonnes of seeds that we got from a Dutch company have enabled us to grow potatoes in an area declared non-cultivable,” Beeharry said.

He added that it is a fruitful exchange between researchers, farmers and institutions.

Consumption of potato per person is around 18 kilos per year. In some European countries consumption is around 80 kg per person per year.