The threat of blight has come back to haunt the Irish potato industry in a more than meaningful way in 2024.
New, more powerful variants of the fungus phytophora infestans are now in circulation, with the threat of even more active genotypes coming down the track in greater numbers than ever.
Currently, the only response that potato growers can throw at this evolving threat is the application of ever more complex and sophisticated fungicide spray mixes.
Longer term, the development of blight-resistant potato strains will also be part of the response.
Potato blight impact
The overwhelming reality now confronting Irish growers is that potatoes are about to become an extremely expensive crop to grow.
In truth, this has always been the case. However, the new fungicide protocols required to keep potato crops blight-free are about to increase the overall cost of producing spuds by a multiplier effect of significant magnitude.
Given this more than significant background, it strikes me that consumers should be made fully aware of this reality. And the clock is ticking.
This is a challenge that now confronts every stakeholder group impacting on the potato sector, from the farming organisations through to Bord Bia.
I know that the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) is hoping to meet the supermarkets in the very near future to discuss the challenges facing the Irish potato sector and other sectors.
Let’s hope that this new and fast-evolving blight threat is high up the agenda when it comes to discussing all the relevant issues at hand.
Communication
Bord Bia also has a key role to play in communicating the realities facing potato growers to Irish consumers and the retail sector.
The supermarkets must not be given an opportunity to conveniently overlook the real threat posed by blight to the Irish potato sector.
Indeed, they must publicly be challenged to come forward with their own perspectives on the matter and relate how they plan to work with farmers in helping to deal with this very significant problem.
And all of this must be done now. By taking this approach, potato growers will gain some confidence for the season ahead,
The coming weeks will see 2024 main crop potatoes planted out. According to Teagasc, the job of applying the new spray regimes kicks-in from the outset.
Hoping for a dry and warm growing season is not an option for growers. They have no alternative but to plan for the worst and hope for the best.
It’s an approach to potato growing that comes with a more than hefty cost ticket.