White Potato Season to commence by mid December in Dominica

Dominica: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Blue and Green Economy informs farmers about the commencement of White Potato Season by mid December 2023.

Significantly, the White Potato Season aims at crop establishment in the region 

The season will commence in the coming weeks with the arrival of seeds and testing, inspection of the consignment and the sales of seeds.

No doubt, there are several varieties of White Potatoes including El Mundo, Desiree, Spunta and Carl White. However, El Mundo and Spunta seeds are obtained this year for the harvest of potatoes.

Considerably, there are certain plans for seed purchase, credit facilities and marketing of potatoes which has been finalized earlier this week with collaborative actions of:

• The Ministry of Agriculture, Dominica Export Import Agency (DEXIA)
• AID Bank
• National White Potato Producer Society.

Also, the farmers are invited by the ministry to get the seeds and obtain the information about this year’s planting season. And, they can even register themselves to collect the seeds of the crops.

For the registration, interested farmers can approach and contact extension officer at:

• Regional Farmer Service Center
• National White Potato Coordinator

Earlier as well, the ministry advised farmers for the land clearing and land preparation activities for the crop cultivation in the coming planting season. 

In the previously issued notice, farmers were advised to start the preparations as early as possible by taking the arrival of planting season into consideration.

Over the past years, the planting of quick cash crop (potatoes) have given wonderful results to the region which marks its importance to be cultivated. Interestingly, potatoes commit the return of the invested amount in just after 90 days.

Moving ahead, the national dialogue on white Potato Production was held as well in the country last year. In this, all the stakeholders gathered together at the Jungle Bay Resort and Spa to have a discussion on shortcomings and success stories of the season.

Importantly, this discussion aimed at carrying forward the outcomes came from the discussion to get better results for the coming plantation seasons.