Sustainability has become a huge focus within the potato industry. On farms and in pack houses, considerable investment has taken place in the installation of renewable energy infrastructures, such as, solar panels and wind turbines. Careful water and soil management practices have also made a large contribution to delivering a more sustainable industry. Imparting sustainable messages about minimising food waste has been the key focus directed at consumers.
Potatoes are grown and harvested in the same season and usually cooled over winter and following spring/summer in potato stores to preserve quality. State of the art cooling systems are employed to regulate a constant temperature by optimising insulation.
Careful management and utilisation of water both in the field and in the packing, process is an important sustainable practice in the industry. Smart agricultural technologies are employed by growers to create alerts as to when and how much water to apply to potato plants. Growers may use drones to fly over potato fields and create reports on the health of plants. In this way, the growers know exactly whether the plants need extra or less water or the application of plant protection products.
Rainwater harvesting from roofs, is another common stainability practice widely employed in the industry. Packers may even install their own water purification plant to filter wash water, so that it can be reused again for further cleaning of the potatoes.
FACT: Potatoes require much less water than other table carbohydrates such as rice and quinoa. Growing one kilo of potatoes requires five times less water than producing one kilo of rice.
Good farm practice coupled with smart soil management is another important component of delivering sustainability in the production of potatoes.
Using innovative cultivation techniques such as precision agriculture, growers are succeeding in reducing the use of crop protection products. Targeted treatments and accurate applications ensure minimum loss of crop protection products into the environment. Care and attention is taken at all times to ensure minimum soil erosion and the loss of soil particles and nutrients from the field drills.
Food waste is an ever-present challenge for the industry. Growers and packers seek to educate consumers to reduce waste, through on pack information and promoting video content.
Electronic devices are employed at all stages of the production and packing process to minimise ‘bumps and knocks’ to the crop, to ensure the production of quality potatoes. This technology ensures that potatoes are transported along the food chain with minimum bruising, which results in premium quality potatoes. High-tech harvesting machines ensure that only very few potatoes are left behind in the field.
Second-grade potatoes may be screened out on the basis of size, shape, or skin finish. These potatoes are of perfectly acceptable eating quality and are often diverted to the food service market to be used as mash, potato cubes or croquettes in catering outlets. Other out-of-grade potatoes may end up being donated to food banks. Even the lowest grade potatoes can be used for animal feed, green fertiliser, or as fuel for biogas plants.
In a world where sustainability is becoming increasingly important throughout society, the potato industry is constantly seeking to put in place better sustainable practices. Every time we eat potatoes, we should not only appreciate their taste and health properties, but we should remind ourselves that this food is contributing to a better and more sustainable world for generations to come.
