Climate change and a decline in suitable agricultural land are making potato cultivation increasingly challenging worldwide. That is why Meijer Potato, Agrarisch Innovatie en Kenniscentrum Rusthoeve, HZ University of Applied Sciences, the University of Amsterdam, 3BM IT-Solutions and Aurea Imaging have launched “More potatoes with hybrid power”.
This will result in faster improved potato varieties with high and stable yields, especially under difficult conditions and in a changing climate.
The 2.5-year research project combines various disciplines such as drone technology, genetics, bioinformatics, digitisation and plant physiology that are necessary for major advances in breeding.
A series of experiments will unravel important characteristics such as nitrogen efficiency and drought and salt stress tolerance. The Province of Zeeland has made salinisation and drought in arable farming and nature high on its agenda. That is why much of the research and knowledge sharing takes place here. The project, with a budget of €1.6 million, will receive €625,000 in financial support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Dutch government and the Province of Zeeland, within the framework of REACT-EU.
Faster progress towards sustainable potatoes
Potatoes are an important crop for the global food supply. Improved varieties are needed to guarantee healthy food even in the face of climate change. This project promotes the sustainability of potato cultivation. This is fully in line with the principles of the European Green Deal's “farm to fork” strategy. The EU and the province of Zeeland are encouraging innovation in order to guarantee food security for the future in a sustainable manner.