Bleak prospects in the UK potato sector prompted Norfolk potato grower Harry Barnett to undertake a Nuffield scholarship on how to counteract restrictive agronomic and market challenges. Extremely low margins, poor return on capital and a steadily declining retail market are burdening the UK potato sector. Combined with unpredictable weather and disease pressure, it has forced many potato growers out of production.
“There is a lot of negativity within the sector. The risk reward balance is severely out of kilter. People are feeling suppressed and depressed,” says Harry, who manages 400ha of potatoes at the Holkham estate in North Norfolk.
What’s more, potatoes are becoming perceived as an ugly crop which do not fit into regenerative farming systems. But, this isn’t necessarily the case, he says. Travelling across Europe and North America, Harry was enlightened by the diverse range of production systems and strong global demand for potato products.
“Our European neighbours are the most aligned with growing challenges. “Most notably with a scarcity of water during the growing season and an abundance during harvest, making it harder to consistently deliver marketable yields.”
Harry visited farms in the Netherlands that were battling the government on environmental rules restricting phosphate and nitrogen use, and French farmers who were subject to annual restrictions on water use. Despite this, he found the atmosphere of the potato industry in Europe to be more positive than the UK.
He concludes: “I truly believe the humble potato, that has been a staple in UK diets for centuries, should be championed and embraced in our UK farming systems. After all, the potato in its unprocessed form is the most carbon efficient and the most nutritious carbohydrate on offer.”
Source: Farmers Weekly (FWI). Read the full story here
Image: Credit FWI
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