By Tiga Wauwe, FPDA Elite Seed Potato Program Officer
The mini-tuber out-growers scheme was instituted in 2015 after a heavy infestation of the soil borne bacterium strains of bacterial wilt in the Elite Seed Potato Production and Multiplication (ESPPM) fields in Tambul Station, Western Highlands Province.
The main aim of the out-grower scheme was to keep the seed potato industry functioning in spite of endemic disease by producing and multiplying elite seed potato at selected agro-ecological sites.
FPDA provides initial elite mini-tubers, chemicals, and other agro-inputs while the out-grower provides labour and land capital for seed production.
To cover for the inputs provided, FPDA acquires 70 percent of total seed output produced and the out-grower keeps 30 percent. For example, if an out-grower harvests 100 bags of seed potatoes, FPDA will get 70 bags and the out grower will get 30 bags.
Mini-tubers disbursed and planted
In the first quarter of 2019 a total of 360 kg of mini-tubers (G0-Generation nought) were dispersed and planted at out-grower sites. These tubers were the outputs of in-vitro tissue cultured plantlets, initially multiplied at the NARI tissue culture facility in Aiyura, EHP.
Four out-growers received and planted the mini-tubers: one from WHP, one from Enga, and two from Jiwaka.
Agro-inputs disbursed
ESPPM agro-input materials include fertiliser, insecticide, knapsack pumps, and net bags. Four out-growers who planted the mini-tubers received disbursements of these agro-inputs. In addition, out-growers who sprouted seed progeny of Generation One (G1) at their storage sheds also received agro-inputs.
The out-growers planted elite seed potatoes from April to June 2019, and will be expecting to harvest in September, October and November 2019.