Potato harvesting underway on Fiji

Another potato harvesting season has started this month on Fiji and will continue till the end of October.

142 farmers were engaged in planting 117 hectares and they will be harvesting about 760 tons for this year’s crop.

Agriculture Director of Extension Uraia Waibuta says they are carrying out trials on the suitable varieties, storage methods off season, production and other related issues.

The average market price for local potatoes is $1 per kilo for Grade One and 80 cents per kilo for Grade Two.

Consultations are underway with market outlets for an organized marketing system.

Fiji’s total potato import is $20 million annually and the aim is to reduce this to $3m by 2014.