Improving and innovating production in Mozambique

THE potato crop is becoming increasingly important for nutrition security and farmer livelihoods in Mozambique and many countries in Africa.

Between August 2019 and April 2020 Solidaridad Mozambique and Solynta executed the first hybrid TPS field trial ever in Mozambique, growing potatoes from true seeds rather than traditional seed potatoes. The seedlings were raised in trays for six weeks, after which they were transplanted to farmers’ fields.

Solynta provided several hybrid seed varieties to assess adaptability as well as technical advice. Solidaridad Mozambique trained and supported farmers in applying good farming practices, including soil management, fertilizing and crop protection. Several local institutions, such as Universidade Unizambezi, supported this initiative. Managing Director of Solidaridad Southern Africa, Mandla Nkomo,  said: “the results are very encouraging: Average yields of the three varieties ranged from 8.5 MT/ha to as much as 25.9 MT/ha in comparison to the yields of 8MT/ha of local control varieties.”

Potato production in Sub-Saharan Africa has more than doubled during the last 20 years to around 16 mln metric tons on 2 mln ha. Potatoes have a higher nutritional value in comparison to other staple crops like rice, cassava and maize. In terms of water efficiency, the potato also outperforms many other staple crops. As an example, producing 1kg of maize requires approximately 400% [HK1] more water than producing 1kg of potato.

Angonia in the western part of Mozambique is the main potato production region in that country, with around 63,000 farmers producing around 90% of the Mozambican potatoes. As in most other African countries, potato consumption in Mozambique is increasing rapidly. Charles Miller, Commercial Director at Solynta stated, “If our pilot results are replicated in local farmer fields production of potatoes in Mozambique can be increased more than 50%.  This will help to reduce dependence on imported ware potatoes as well as help to develop a local supply of quality seed.”

Solynta’s innovation of hybrid potatoes makes it possible to distribute new varieties from botanic seed instead of seed potatoes. This technology makes it possible to rapidly develop new potato varieties with a higher nutritional value and attuned to specific local or regional needs, for example resistance to drought and certain diseases. Moreover, true potato seeds (TPS) have major logistical benefits as 25 grams of true seed is comparable to 2,500 kg of seed tubers. True seed is easier to store and cheaper to transport, making it easier to access for smallholder families in remote areas. True potato seed (TPS) is also disease free which is not the case with traditional seed potatoes.

“By combining the development knowledge and skill of Solidaridad with the plant breeding and agronomic skill of Solynta we hope that the benefit of TPS can be delivered to local farmers in a fast and efficient way” said Gert van der Bijl from Solidaridad.  In the second half of 2020 Solynta and Solidaridad will expand their collaboration in Angonia with the hope of launching this new system in the near future. This will allow us to create change that matters by unlocking the potential of potatoes to improve nutrition security in Mozambique and hopefully in other African countries as well.

Source and photos: Solidaridad