Always working to develop the “perfect” russet, the Potato Variety Management Institute’s main mission is to promote new varieties of potatoes in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and beyond. Bob Larsen reports for the Washington State Farm Bureau on Aginfo.net.
PVMI Executive Director Jeanne Debons says it’s what they coordinate from their operation based in Bend, Oregon …
DeBONS … “PVMI is a non-profit that represents the tri-state Potato Research and Breeding Program, and that’s a cooperative effort of Washington State University, the University of Idaho, Oregon State University, and the USDA.”
As for what their goal is at PVMI, Debons says …
DeBONS … “Well, it depends. Really, the Pacific Northwest is aimed towards breeding a better processing russet. That’s the goal. However, when you cross potatoes there are four sets of genes and it means that a lot of different types of potatoes are the offspring.”
Debons says those results vary widely with everything from fresh russets, to colored potatoes, and other specialty potatoes …
DeBONS … “And PVMI exists because the universities really aren’t in the position to do marketing and promotions. So, PVMI is a non-profit that does the marketing and promotions and collects royalties and license fees, but eventually find their way back to the universities.”
Listen to Bob Larsen’s interview with Jeanne Debons below, or visit AgInfo.net here to read the full transcript and listen to the interview there.
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